Community Resources

Community Safety

  • Crime Stoppers (808-961-8300) - Make an anonymous tip and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

  • Kuleana Hotline (808-961-2219) - Designed to prevent tragic events in public places. Your tip could help authorities intervene before warning signs develop into a crime or tragedy.

  • Neighborhood Watch (808-887-3080) – Call the South Kohala Community Policing Officer to find out if there’s a watch already established in your neighborhood or how to start a watch.)

  • Emergency Alerts: Sign up to receive alerts from local agencies including severe weather, criminal activities, severe traffic, missing persons, local events. Text your zip code to 888777 to opt-in or go to www.nixle.com

  • Hawai’i Police Department recent news releases: https://www.hawaiipolice.com

  • County of Hawai’i Hazard Impact Map

South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee

Run by volunteers, the advisory group’s monthly meetings are an open forum for residents from all communities in the district, as well as elected officials, County employees, police staff, representatives from the State Department of Transportation, and the County Department of Public Works’ traffic and highway maintenance divisions.

SKTSC’s main purpose is to educate the public, and comment on state and County planning and design proposals for major projects that can impact roads and traffic in South Kohala. Although traffic safety committees have existed in all nine Big Island districts in the past, currently the South Kohala branch is one of the remaining few.

Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 5-6PM and are currently hybrid - both in person and via Zoom. Please email SKTSC Chair Gunner Mench: sktscsecretary@gmail.com to confirm location (rotates between Tutu’s House and Waikoloa Village Assn.) and for the monthly agenda, zoom link and more information.

IMPORTANT: Community Feedback/Suggestions/Questions Needed/Welcome

COMMUNITY INPUT WELCOME! No - it's actually ESSENTIAL! Following up on the July 27, 2023 DOT Waimea Roadway Improvements Project meeting in Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria, which was the 8th in a long series of community discussions about in-town road safety improvements, please review the preliminary plan linked here: (https://drive.google.com/.../1sm0QRSjShZ0xjw.../view...).

This preliminary plan was shared at the meeting and reflects the thoughts and desires of several hundred community members based on the previous meetings including a walk thru town to discuss "hot spots," possibilities, and conversations with traffic, environmental and safety engineers to help us better understand roadway engineering considerations and the experience of other communities with different road improvement options. This slide-deck dives deep into the preliminary plan and current issues and options, and then we are asked to share our thoughts, suggestions, and questions with the planning team.

Mahalo to the approx 45 community members who attended last week's meeting - many who have participated in what is now about 18-20 hours of serious community discussion. Our input is essential and we thank our Legislators for securing funding to engage the community in these deep conversations vs. having plans drafted in isolation by engineers who do not live here and don't know our needs, dreams and challenges. We also thank contractor SSFM for seriously beating the bushes to inform our Waimea community about these meeting and making this information and comment opportunity accessible. As in the past, SSFM has developed a project website where they post all information: www.waimearegionalsafetystudy.com.

Mahalo for your time to help our community be safer and still retain its beauty and sense of place.

Help Available for Waimea's Hungry Children, Families, Kupuna and Friends; Kōkua Always Needed!


While the worst of the pandemic has waned, hunger is still with us.  In fact, one in four children in Hawai’i are still food insecure, and a large number of adults, too.  This has been exacerbated by the soaring cost of living including housing and food.  Fortunately, in large part due to the incredible generosity of Waimea's faith community, farmers and ranchers, not-for-profits, businesses, schools and neighbors, help is available - yet our kōkua is needed and welcome.  What follows are the food programs available here in Waimea to assist those in need and they all welcome your help - both funding and/or helping hands!
 

Waimea Community Meal @ St. James

‘Building Community One Meal At A Time’
Thursdays, 4:30-6PM – Dine-In with Music! (No drive-thru but take-outs welcome)
65-1237 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI 96743

Everyone welcome to enjoy a fresh-from-scratch meal. There are many ways to kōkua including donating fresh produce, home-baked cookies, volunteering to prepare and/or serve or direct parking, or by full or partial sponsorship of a week’s meal.  Tax deductible donations may be made payable to St. James with a note on check that it’s for the community meal and mailed to P.O. Box 278, Kamuela, HI 96743.  For info, email Sue Dela Cruz, Community Meal Ministry Coordinator, eat@stjameshawaii.org or call (808) 885-4923.

stjameshawaii.org/ministries/community-meal-2/

Annunciation Community Food Pantry

4th Tuesdays, 8AM – Drive Thru Only While Supplies Last
65-1235 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI 96743

All needing help are welcome to drive thru to pick up a hefty bag of shelf-stable items and fresh produce.  175 bundles are handed off on distribution days with each intended for a family of four for three days.  Larger families are given additional bags.  

Presented in partnership with Hawai’i Island Food Basket.  Volunteers are needed to help shop for and pack food bags and/or to assist on distribution days.  Donations of fresh produce, other foods and re-useable bags needed.  Tax deductible monetary donations are most welcome, payable to Annunciation Church with a note on check that it’s for the food pantry.  For more info, contact lead volunteer Maile Lincoln: mc2000x3@yahoo.com or Emily Hoover:  emilyphoover@gmail.com. 


Kokua Christian Ministries Food Pantry

@ New Hope Christian Fellowship - Waimea
Wednesdays, 9:30AM – 12:30PM – Food Bundles To-Go
65-1078 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI 96743

All in need are welcome to stop by for a to-go bundle of mostly shelf-stable food.  Volunteers work in partnership with Hawai’i Island Food Basket.  Donations of fresh produce and non-perishable food welcome.  To coordinate drop off, call Laurie Ainslie (808) 895-3056 or email: ainslie808@gmail.com.  Tax deductible donations also welcome; mail checks payable to Kokua Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 231, Kamuela, HI 96743.   

Waimea Answers to Hunger 24/7/365!  

Waimea’s ‘Friendly Fridge’

Side Porch of Waimea Preservation Association Office In the Historic Tax Office @ Waimea’s Main Intersection - Next to Waimea Senior Center and Kamuela Post Office

“The Friendly Fridge” was dreamed up by Donni Sheather with Waimea’s Rescue Food Program but it might more appropriately be called “The Hungry Fridge” because while it’s generously stocked daily with both fresh produce and shelf-stable items, it regularly helps feed some of our community’s most food insecure so is often empty by the end of the day.   New addition: Essentials such as blankets and warm clothing, socks, hygiene products and other items can be found on a nearby shelf; donations also welcome!

The food is free and anyone in need is encouraged to help themselves.  For those who might want to contribute, please stop by and put items in the fridge (including canned goods – no expired items please), or send a check payable to Friends of the Future and indicate that it’s to support the Rescue Food Program – P.O. Box 2655, Kamuela, HI 96743.   

Waimea’s ‘Blessings Box’

Streetside of New Hope Christian Fellowship - Waimea - 
Just Honoka’a side of Historic Church Row Park

The “Blessing Box” is just as its name implies – blessings for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity.  Church congregation members and community friends stop by regularly to fill the shelves and more community kōkua is needed.  Please – no expired items.  Coordinated by New Hope Christian Fellowship.  If you’d like to contribute with a tax-deductible donation, checks can be payable to New Hope Waimea with a note that it’s to support the “Blessing Box” and mailed to 65-1078 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI 96743.  

Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Umeki ‘Ai

On Hold. For more information, contact: Tricia Hodson: 808-960-2648 – email: waimeahomestead@gmail.com

Weekly Feed the Keiki & Kupuna Meal

Every Friday from 4-5:30 pm at the Honoka'a Hongwanji

Drive-Thru Grab & Go. All welcome!

Sponsored by the Peace Committee. Info and to contribute or kokua, email: Miles Okumura: misterokumura@yahoo.com

Hawai’i Island Food Basket

Provides year-round including assistance in partnership with many local, state and federal food supports programs and local food producers and distributors! They welcome our help too!

 1.      HawaiiFoodBasket.org/find-food-now – For emergency assistance or to kokua.  Staff will help with SNAP-EBT card applications and answer questions.

2.     DaBoxCSA.org – Subscribe for a weekly or bi-weekly box of locally produced fresh produce.  Must sign up. SNAP-EBT card holders enjoy 50% discount. 

3.      DaBux Double Up Food Bucks – 50% discount on local produce for all SNAP-EBT cardholders from participating grocery stores.

Waimea Farmers Markets

Waimea Town Market: Every Saturday from 7:30 AM - Noon @ Parker School

Kamuela Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 7:30 am - 1 pm at Pukalani Stables

Kuhio Hale Farmers Market: Every Saturday from 7 am - 12:30 pm at Kuhio Hale

Waimea Mid-Week Market: Every Wednesday from 9 am - 2 pm at Pukalani Stables


Waimea ‘Walk with a Doc’ Program

Suspended But Will Restart Soon!

Meet Out Front Of Pukalani Stables

Open to all. An hour-long walk-and-talk sponsored by North Hawai’i Community Hospital’s Native Hawaiian Health Program. Includes discussion of health issues facing Native Hawaiians and many others in our community. Participants urged to check with their primary care provider before walking if there are health concerns. Comfortable walking shoes and bringing an umbrella is recommended as the walk with be held, rain or shine. No sign up required.

Questions? Call 881-4432 or email Liana Iaea Honda at: LiHonda@Queens.org

Suicide Prevention Hotline & Help

If you or someone else you know is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can also go to www.speakingofsuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Or: Text 741741. There is help and it will get better.

National Alliance on Mental Illness

Are you dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety due to COVID-19? Call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawaii Chapter at (808) 591-1297 to receive free support, information, and resources for yourself or a loved one during this difficult time. info@namihawaii.org

Invasive Species

FROM OUR JULY 1, 2021 VIRTUAL TOWN MEETING: Everyone needs to watch this - a new video documenting a devastating threat to our pasturelands and ranching industry here on Hawai'i Island. We thank Carolyn Wong w/ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, who is a State Grazing Lands Management Specialist, and Elena Dosamantes w/ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, who is a Range Technician for briefing our community during the virtual WCA Town Meeting about the very destructive Two-Lined Spittle Bug that's already wreaking havoc in mauka pastures of Kona and been found in Waiki'i.

https://vimeo.com/user133290894

Invasive Species Hotline: (808) 643-7378

FAA Honolulu Flight Standards
Report a low-flying helicopter.  Statewide: (808) 837-8300

Animal Control Services

  • Priority 1 - Injured animals, any animal that is a public safety risk, animal cruelty. Police Dispatch - (808) 935-3311

  • Priority 2 - Lost or found pets and non-emergency issues. Animal Control - (808) 327-3558

  • Priority 3 - Deceased animals on the roadway. Department of Public Works Highways Division (808) 961-8349

Crisis Line of Hawai’i
Suicide hotline, refer-rals and outreach for youth and adults. Statewide: 800-753-6879

Suicide and Crisis lifeline: call 988

Hawaii Cares - free mental health and substance use hotline: (808) 753-6879

Recovery Supports {many meetings daily/weekly across our district and island)

West Hawai‘i Mediation Center
Provides conflict resolution services to community members and organizations.
Waimea: 808-885-5525

DLNR Hotline
Enforcement of natural resource violations. Statewide: 808-643-3567

Hawai’i Public Housing Authority
Provides assistance and information for public housing projects.
Hilo: 808-933-0474

Aloha United Way helpline: call 211

Legal assistance: 

Hawaii landlord-tenant hotline: (808) 586-2634

Housing assistance:

Police non-emergency line: (808) 935-3311 (call 911 for emergencies) 

Hawaii County Civil Defense: (808) 935-0031

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

Invasive Species Hotline: (808) 643-7378

Hawaii County Concerns & Complaints Services Website

  • For potholes, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, street lights, and other issues.