The Senate is in recess this week. If you are a Hawai'i resident and interested to attend Senator Brian Schatz's telephone town hall on Thursday, May 8 @ 12:00 P.M., you can RSVP by visiting schatz.senate.gov/townhall. Senator Schatz will be giving updates from Washington, D.C. and taking questions from constituents.
4-21-2025 - PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements appear to be underway at the Lunalilo park to the delight of a flock of white cranes that appear every morning in search of a meal.
4-21-2025 - PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
PEK is the largest subdivision on our island with three phases of building and development. To keep our neighborhoods appealing and safe, the HOA invites Homeowners to form committees and address certain key issues and improvements for the benefit of our community.
Are you a recent homeowner to Pualani Estates? There are current opportunities for current and new homeowners to serve their community in the following area:
CC&R Committee
What is CC&R? CC&R stands for Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, which are rules and regulations that govern how properties in a planned community like Pualani Estates can be used and maintained.
It's a great way to learn about the place you live and make a difference by giving back to your community. To help Pualani Estates remain one of the most desired developments on the Big Island, please e-mail Kealani Winter with your questions or interest about the CCR Committee. Your voice matters.
4-9-2025 MAYOR DELIVERS STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS
During his first State of the County address, County of Hawai'i Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted progress made by his administration, including investments in park facilities and infrastructure.
"We have had the best start ever!" Alameda told an overflow crowd at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo on Tuesday, while acknowledging the work of his staff. "We are not just running, we are flying."
Accomplishments over the past four months include:
Starting Phase 1 of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Project with an Emergency Proclamation in place.
Repairs and reopening of various County park facilities across the island.
Reaching agreements with unions on hazard pay for County employees.
Housing individuals at the Kuawa Street shelter and the Country Club condominiums on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
Road repaving and resurfacing in every district.
Mayor Alameda also provided an overview of the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes estimated revenue and appropriations of $937 million. That represents an increase of 1.8 percent over the current fiscal year.
The proposed budget focuses on taking care of what the County has in place, including increasing the maintenance budget for park facilities and addressing deferred maintenance of critical infrastructure.
"Let us move forward — not divided by districts, but united by aloha," he said. "… Let's look out for one another, for our island, and for the generations yet to come..."
The County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency is recognizing Tsunami Awareness Month this April by highlighting the risks from tsunamis generated by local earthquakes.
With a distant tsunami, residents would be warned hours in advance. However, a tsunami generated by a local earthquake could occur before any warning can be issued.
"This November marks the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Kalapana earthquake, which generated a tsunami that tragically took the lives of two people," said Mayor Kimo Alameda. "A locally generated tsunami can occur with little notice, and we encourage residents to familiarize themselves with the warning signs and know their evacuation routes wherever they live, work and play."
Know the Warning Signs
By paying attention to the following key indicators, residents can recognize that a locally generated tsunami is imminent and move to higher ground:
Feel: If the ground shakes so strongly you have difficulty standing, or if you feel any shaking that lasts more than 20 seconds, a tsunami may follow.
Listen: Tsunamis often roar or make a sound like a freight train as they approach.
Look: If the ocean does anything strange – an unusual rise or fall of sea level lasting several minutes – expect a big wave to appear.
"Earthquakes are damaging and frightening," said Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno. "That's why having a clear, practiced plan is vital when you are at the ocean, as you may need to move to higher ground immediately. Please visit our Civil Defense website for more information on tsunamis, including tsunami evacuation maps."
The County of Hawaiʻi announced that $548,095 had been awarded to 31 projects for its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Impact Grants.
The program, through the Department of Research and Development, is an annual competitive opportunity for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and state or county agencies.
Eligible proposals include research, programs, or projects that have a positive impact on the following program areas within Hawaiʻi Island communities: Agriculture and Food Systems; Business and Industry Development; Community Well-being; Energy; Film and Creative Industries; and Regenerative Tourism.
Each funded project brings at least $1 in matching funds for every County dollar granted, bringing the total value of awarded projects to well over $1,096,192.
County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda invites the public to a series of community meetings that will provide opportunities for residents across Hawaiʻi Island to speak with senior County leaders and hear updates on projects in their neighborhoods.
The 14 community engagement events will be held from February through June and feature members of the mayor's executive team and special guests. Light refreshments will be provided.
"These events are part of our administration's commitment to foster constructive dialogue with communities across the island and ensure we are creating a County that is responsive to their needs," Alameda said. "We encourage residents to attend to stay informed, stay engaged, and contribute to shaping the future of our island."
The 1.5-hour sessions will include an introduction that will address local updates (15 minutes), a Q&A session (45 minutes), and a meet-and-greet with staff members.
Schedule
South Kona - 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, Yano Hall. 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway.
Nāʻālehu - 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, Nāʻālehu Community Center. 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road.
Oceanview - 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10, Oceanview Community Center (Pancake Breakfast). 92-8924 Leilani Circle.
Pāhala - 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, Pāhala Community Center. 96-1149 Kamani St.
Volcano - 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, Cooper Center. 19-4030 Wright Road.
Pāhoa - 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility (Community Center). 15-3022 Kauhale St.
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PEK is the largest subdivision on our island with three phases of building and development. To keep our neighborhoods appealing and safe, the HOA invites Homeowners to form committees and address certain key issues and improvements for the benefit of our community. 
During his first State of the County address, County of Hawai'i Mayor Kimo Alameda highlighted progress made by his administration, including investments in park facilities and infrastructure. 
