Hello Big Island! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Record scholarship awards, a unicorn party, and a sensory-friendly Toy Story 5 screening + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Supporting future women leaders: Zonta Club of Hilo awarded $20,000 in scholarships and leadership awards to Big Island women, including nursing students, strengthening education and leadership opportunities for women and girls across Hawaiʻi Island -- read the full story.
Big plans for West Hawaii: Hawaii County is considering buying the long-vacant 125,000-square-foot former Kmart at Makalapua in Kailua-Kona for a West Hawaii events center, after talks sparked by designer and kumu hula Micah Kamohoali‘i -- see what officials are considering.
A milestone community gift: Taste of Hilo raised a record $20,000 for Hawaiʻi Community College, the event’s largest annual gift, supporting scholarships that helped 25-plus students last year in programs from carpentry to nursing -- learn more about the fundraiser.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Level up family time: Need a kid-energy pressure valve this week? Fun Factory - Kona Coast Shopping Center packs indoor carnival rides, fresh arcade titles, and a prize gallery that actually pays off, plus a Mobile Wallet for quick reloads and an Honor Roll program that gives keiki extra motivation.
Let the keiki loose: When cabin fever hits, Kamakana Playground inside Harold H. Higashihara Park is a reliable reset, with room to climb, swing, and invent new games while you catch a breather on the sidelines. Local volunteers help keep it cared for, so pack water, share aloha, leave it better.
Greener yard, less guesswork: If your yard needs some love before the next dry spell, Kona Treehouse is the neighborhood plant nursery with thoughtful picks and real-world advice for Big Island yards. Swing by for inspo, leave with greenery that actually survives our Kona sun and your to-do list.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎬 Keiki Flix @ Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library (Waimea) | Wednesday (6/24) at 2:30 PM – Keiki Flix is serving up a food themed family movie for the Summer Reading Challenge, perfect for kids and the adults who appreciate free AC and low effort enrichment. Park the keiki, savor the quiet, and pretend movie snacks count as vegetables.
💃 Free Music and Movement Class: Beach Days #3 @ Keawe Theater (Hilo) | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – If your tiny human needs to wiggle and you want an excuse to dance, no judgment, this free beachside music and movement class features Kindermusik. An adult caregiver joins in, 45 to 55 minutes of fun. Limited space, donations welcome, mahalo Hilo Community Players.
🦄 Girl Scouts Unicorn Party @ Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library (Waimea) | Thursday (6/25) at 3:00 PM – Got a kid who treats glitter like a personality trait? This unicorn-filled hang with the Girl Scouts brings crafty projects, friendly faces, and just enough sparkle to outlast a vacuum, plus a low-key way to see what the troop life is all about.
🚚 Food Truck Friday @ Makalapua Shopping Center (Kailua Kona) | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Grab your camp chair and cruise to Makalapua for Food Truck Friday, the weekly parade of ono eats, live trade winds, and gloriously free parking. Over 20 trucks mean everyone’s happy, rain or shine, and yes, tailgating is encouraged like it’s youth soccer.
🎈 Keiki Day @ KTA Super Stores - Puainako (Hilo) | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – Keiki Day is popping up at KTA Puainako with food, games, and prizes, so load the ʻohana and embrace the chaos. The kids win goodies, you snag peaceful minutes by the deli, and everyone leaves smiling before the sugar crash hits, while supplies last.
🪙 The Hilo Collectible Show @ Prince Kuhio Plaza | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – The Hilo Collectible Show is back at Prince Kuhio Plaza, with Pokemon, One Piece, sports cards, comics, Funko, and more. Dust off the old binders, then wander for nostalgia, rare pulls, and the joy of buying back what you sold at that yard sale.
🎥 Hilo Sensory Friendly Film: Toy Story 5 @ Regal Prince Kuhio | Sunday (6/28) at 9:30 AM – Whether you still quote “to infinity and beyond,” or you’re introducing the keiki to Buzz and Woody, this sensory friendly screening keeps the lights up and the volume down at Regal Prince Kuhio. Wiggles welcome, snacks loud, patience infinite, AC glorious.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Big Island report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 48%
Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 85°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 23%
Isolated rain showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Isolated rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. This house is wildFive and a quarter oceanfront acres set the stage for nearly 300 feet of rugged coastline, Pacific views, and black lava rock framed by swaying coconut palms. The cedar two-story home hides behind a canopy of trees, then opens to walls of windows, quartzite floors, open beam ceilings, and a covered lanai. Roof and gutters were replaced in 2024.
Take a peek inside → |
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