Community

Happy holidays from Kauaʻi County Office of Economic Development. The staff and administration wish you and your ʻohana a happy, healthy and prosperous 2026. Check out these updates about programs, grants and events happening around the island.

The traditional Hawaiian sporting events took place on Friday. Kumano I Ke Ala Executive Director Kaina Makua said the games are for everyone, and they bring the community together.

Vacancies for these officer positions are located across the state.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency will continue wildfire preparedness efforts to give residents evacuation strategies and safety tips with an outreach event in Anahola on Jan. 13.

Each of the panel members bring deep experience in water resource management, ethics, agriculture and community development to critical areas of state service.

She might be from another island, but Theresa Chang’s lifetime defined by breathtaking resilience, including an incredible journey from addiction to academic success, is one that can and should inspire others; she even just recently accepted her bachelor of arts degree in communication from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo during the Dec. 20 fall commencement ceremony.

Holiday wishes were fulfilled for a total of 16,435 youth and seniors throughout The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, but the need is growing and continues beyond the holidays; consider setting up your own Virtual Red Kettle campaign before the end of the year to help.

Trees must be bare and free of flocking, tinsel, stands and ornaments when brought to any of the recycling locations; also keep in mind that green waste sites are closed during inclement weather.

County issues reminder that the deadline to file an appeal is Dec. 31; a new online Real Property Tax Appeal application system also now live on county’s website.

Casey Watabu of Līhuʻe and teammate Matthew Ma of Pearl City, Oʻahu, are second alternates for the championship in the event the 2 Big Island men and second-place finishers in the qualifying round can’t make it for any reason.

And since it’s Christmas Eve, NORAD once again is tracking Santaʻs journey around the world to deliver toys to children.

Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi and Eddie Aikau Foundation team up to host ‘Catch a Big Wave with Your Longboard’ statewide sweepstakes for chance to win a surfboard with unique hand-drawn designs; community surf event planned in Kona to be emceed by comedian and social media star Tumua.

Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says the approval of Connect Kākou to receive the funding is an important step toward bringing reliable broadband internet to communities throughout the state.

The Hoʻolei Scholarship will cover the remaining tuition costs for students still in need of financial assistance after federal financial aid is applied for first-year tuition, allowing them to focus on their education instead of finances.

Kōloa resort offering to-go meals designed to feed a family of 4 so residents and visitors alike can relax, celebrate and truly enjoy the holiday with loved ones.

The latest consumer threats and sophisticated scams may surge during the holiday season, according to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

With increasing prevalence of lithium-ion batteries in everyday items, the Kauaʻi Fire Department emphasize the importance of safe handling to prevent fires and toxic gases.

Monico’s Restaurant Bar & Taqueria in Kapaʻa has unexpectedly closed due to eviction, stunning regulars just before the holidays.

There are 4 different rule changes that the council says will significantly change the way species such as the Hawaiian monk seal, brown booby, hawksbill sea turtle and more are protected.

The grants — one to University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center for the new groundbreaking Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center and the other to John A. Burns School of Medicine to upgrade simulation and training resources — reinforce Helmsley’s commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and workforce capacity in Hawaiʻi.