8-18-2025 PERMITTING TASK FORCE IMPROVES PROCESS
With the help of a permitting task force formed by Mayor Kimo Alameda, the County of Hawaiʻi has significantly reduced waiting times for building permits.
"Improving the building permit system required an outside perspective and our County working collaboratively with the private sector," said Mayor Alameda. He added, "Through this effort... we are seeing real results that are alleviating our permitting backlog. Because of their recommendations, and the commendable efforts of our staff, we are seeing that permits are getting out faster."
Changes made based on the task force's recommendations include increased training for staff and the public, weekly permit tracking and reporting, filling long-vacant positions, and processes that allow for flexibility, such as corrections to applications that can be made over the phone. These efforts were aimed at minimizing corrections and resubmittals, significantly improving the efficiency of the review process. Local contractors and business owners say they are noticing the improvements.
Additionally, the County is planning to launch a pilot program to streamline residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) permits by providing approval through the intake process. By consolidating review in a single intake phase, processing times for PV permits would be further reduced and allow staff to focus on more complicated and review intensive applications.
8-17-2025 PUAPUA`ANUI SPEED TABLE LAYOUT
A proposed speed table layout for Puapua`anui Street is now available on-line at the HOA's website.
8-15-2025 - KUPUNA HULA FESTIVAL
The County of Hawai'i Department of Parks and Recreation will host the 39th annual Hawai'i Kūpuna Hula Festival on Sept. 10-11 at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.
 Nearly 300 kūpuna from Hawai'i Island, Molokai and Japan will perform during the event, which is presented by the department's Elderly Activities Division.
Doors open at 4 p.m. with showtime at 5 p.m. for both days.
The festival also features a craft fair with jewelry, Hawaiian apparel, fresh flowers, art and crafts, and more. The craft fair is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. There is no admission charge to the craft fair.
Tickets for the hula performances are $20 per night and can be purchased at Elderly Recreation Services, 127 Kamana St. in Hilo and the West Hawai'i Civic Center, Building B, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kailua-Kona.
Tickets will also be available at the door until sold out.
The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is located at 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona.
For more information, call 808-323-4340 or 808-961-8710.
8-13-2025 ʻĀINA RESILIENCE MEETING
The public is invited to Kona Soil and Water Conservation District's (KSWCD) upcoming ʻĀina Resilience (Local Working Group) meeting taking place Aug. 20, 2025.
Questions? Contact Kona Conservation: info@konaconservation.org
8/2/2025 - RESOURCES FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY NEW TAX LAW
Hawai`i Senator Brian Schatz in his latest newsletter stated "Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed a new tax bill into law that could cut health care coverage through Med-QUEST for more than 40,000 people in Hawai'i, gut food assistance programs that more than 20,000 Hawai'i families rely on, and raise the national debt by $3.3 trillion."
He's put together a resource guide for those who are impacted by the provisions in this new tax law, available at schatz.senate.gov/taxlawhelp.
"As the administration begins to implement this law and provides more guidance on enforcement, this page will be updated to help answer any questions you may have," the newsletter said.
8/1/2025 - HI COUNTY LAUNCHES HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN PROGRAM
The County of Hawai'i Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) announced the launch of the Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) — a new initiative designed to help local homeowners make essential repairs and upgrades to their homes.
HILP provides low-interest loans ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 at a 3% simple interest rate to eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners. The program is intended to help families repair, improve, or modernize the homes they personally occupy as their primary residence.
Homeowners who are 62 years or older, or who have a disability, may be eligible to have 50% of the loan's principal balance forgiven at the end of the 15-year loan period.
"This program is about taking care of existing housing on our island," said Kehaulani Costa, County Housing Administrator. "The cost of maintaining, repairing and making necessary improvements for our aging ʻohana can be overwhelming for many local families. HILP provides support for these types of home improvements so we can keep our homes safe and livable for the long run."
Eligible repairs include:
- Repairing termite or wood rot damage.
- Fixing a leaky roof or drainpipes.
- Lead-based paint abatement.
- Upgrading faulty electrical wiring or plumbing.
- Connecting to County sewer systems.
- Termite treatment.
- Installing solar water heating systems.
- Modifications to accommodate household members with disabilities.
Applications and the program's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) can be downloaded here.
For more information or questions, residents are encouraged to contact OHCD by emailing ohcdloans@hawaiicounty.gov.
The HILP is funded by the County of Hawai'i through the Affordable Housing Production Program. The County is committed to expanding the program with State, Federal and philanthropic support.
7-24-2025 - PUALANI PARK UPGRADED
The Pualani park, known as William Charles Lunalilo Park, was recently upgraded with new improvements, including the addition of and "upper level" parking lot, thanks to the County and community stakeholders. Unlike other developments in Kona, residents of Pualani Estates have a beautiful park within walking distance from their door step. And what better way to commemorate the park's new look with the kick off of the Hawaii`i Little League "Majors" State Championship!
7-16-2025 - FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS
The Food Truck Friday Event has been temporarily relocated to the Old Kona Airport Beach Park.
As part of a limited pilot program, the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation has granted permission for the "Food Truck Friday" event to be temporarily relocated to the Old Kona Airport Beach Park.
The event, hosted by Sugar's Hawaiʻi - BBQ and Desserts, will take place from 4-8 p.m. every other Friday starting July 18 through Sept. 26 on the South Runway area of the park. Previously, the event was located outside Target.
"Upon learning that the food trucks in Kona lost their location due to unforeseen circumstances, we stepped in to offer a temporary solution," said Mayor Kimo Alameda. "We recognize that for many of these food truck vendors, this is their primary source of income, and we are committed to creating viable alternatives to support this community event."
"These Food Truck Friday events allow families and friends to gather, strengthen social connections, and support local food and craft vendors," said Clayton Honma, Parks & Recreation Director. [The event] has not only become a staple in our community, but it has also provided jobs for over 20 families on the Big Island. |
Despite efforts to have residents in Pualani Estates control the overgrowth on their property, some of the growth continued until it was not only unkempt but dangerously over the sidewalk so walkers--children, people with dogs, kupuna trying to get safe exercise, and the rest of us--had to go into the roadway to avoid the tangle.
But some neighbors in our community saw the importance of having the sidewalks cleared for the good of the community. For example, they pitched in to take on the problem and trimmed, pruned, and tamed some of the overgrowth along Puapua`anui Street. This is the kind of community engagement we try to build here! 
