Hawaii
Work could start soon on Portuguese center – West Hawaii Today
Site work for the Hawaii Island Portuguese Cultural and Educational Center could begin as early as next month.
The Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is close to finalizing two contracts for site preparation and construction of the long-planned Hilo center.
“We’re hoping to begin site work as soon as possible, but just like everything, you’re not done until the paperwork is done,” said Marlene Hapai, president of the HIPCC Cultural and Educational Center. “After talking to the architect, we could have the building contract done in mid-February. We’ve all been waiting for this to happen, and we’re ready.”
Members of the HIPCC, which was established in 1982, saw the need to build the center as a way to prevent Portuguese culture from being lost.
“No matter who you are, I believe it’s important to have pride in your heritage and to know what your ancestors have done,” Hapai said. “Many of our youth, and Portuguese youth in Portugal, don’t have a clue about their ancestry.”
The center will create a community space to share Portuguese traditions and culture, as well as being a repository for the history of the Portuguese who came to Hawaii and stayed, leaving their mark for generations to come.
The center will have historical exhibits that will be divided by Exploration, Emigration and Assimilation, beginning with the Age of Discovery in the 14th and 15th centuries, to the arrival of Portuguese in Hawaii in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and ending with the influence of Portuguese culture today.
“There were 29 ships that carried 25,000 Portuguese to Hawaii, where they brought their skills, expertise and culture,” Hapai said. “We want to show the influence the Portuguese have had on Hawaii through their food, music, dance and businesses. They really made an impact in the community as entrepreneurs, ranchers and educators, and we want to share everything.”
HIPCC past president Frank DeLuz III in 2006 donated an acre of land for the center, which will be located on the corner of Ponahawai and Komohana streets.
A building committee was formed in 2015, and initial land-clearing occurred in November 2022.
“For the last seven years, we’ve been focusing on the center. We started with no funds, and now we’ve raised over a million (dollars),” Hapai said. “It’s been a struggle and hard to combat storms, COVID-19, lava flows, because when emergencies happen, nonprofits must take a step back to allow the community to heal. Now, we’re at the point where we are ready for everything.”
To date, HIPCC has raised over $1.6 million through grants from the state, Hawaii County and the Atherton Family Foundation; contributions from community members through in-person and virtual fundraising events; and donations from sponsors.
On Sunday, Feb. 4, HIPCC will be hosting the Malasada Shuffle 5K race followed by a Spring Festa at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu‘au Hale to raise money for the center and its future exhibits.
This year’s event is dedicated to Theresa Perreira Zendejas, a “shuffler” from the original race who completed the 5K at the age of 85. Before passing, she donated her home and property to help fund the center.
“Before she passed, she said she wanted us to have the best cultural center in Hawaii, and that was her contribution,” Hapai said. “She was an inspiration to everyone, and we’re glad to dedicate this year’s event to Theresa.”
The Shuffle is open to all ages and will begin at 7:30 a.m. outside Aunty Sally’s. Participants will have the chance to win prizes, but everyone will receive a free malasada at the end.
Those interested in “shuffling” can register for $45 today through Saturday at hipcc.org.
After the race, the Spring Festa will begin inside Aunty Sally’s at 9 a.m. and will feature Portuguese food, exhibits by organizations from around the island, Aunty Mary’s Store, entertainment and the first-ever Malasada Cooking Contest.
Three cooks have registered, but HIPCC is looking for more contestants to join the contest. Registration ends on Monday, and details can be found at hipcc.org.
The Hawaii County Band and Dexter Veriato also will be playing music during the free festa.
For more information about the 5K and Spring Festa, contact Hapai at (808) 557-4540 or race director Alan Ryan at (808) 962-6044.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
Hawaii
Healthier Hawaii: How to protect your hearing; head and neck warning signs you shouldn’t ignore
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – You may have received new earbuds or headphones during the holidays. But there are a few things you keep in mind when it comes to protecting your hearing.
Dr. Ross Shockley, an otolaryngologist with Wilcox Medical Center and Kaua‘i Medical Clinic, offers the following tips for hearing, as well as head and neck health.
Head and neck cancers
Many people are not familiar with head or neck cancers. What causes it and when should someone see a doctor?
- Traditionally, head and neck cancers were mostly associated with longtime smokers and drinkers. Now, more cases are tied to human papillomavirus (HPV), even in nonsmokers and drinkers. HPV is the same virus that can lead to cervical cancer in women. It is common and can have no symptoms.
- If you have throat pain, pain when swallowing that doesn’t go away, or a mass in your neck that feels firm and isn’t moving, don’t wait. See your doctor.
- Head and neck cancers can be treated, no matter the cause, if caught early.
How to prevent hearing loss
More young adults, in their early 20s, are experiencing hearing loss. Can hearing loss be reversed?
- Hearing loss can’t be reversed. Once ringing in ears starts, that can be permanent.
- Wear appropriate hearing protection when using power tools or firing weapons.
- You can find ear protection that blocks out sound for about $15. Protection that covers the whole ear are better than earplugs.
How do you know if music or movies are too loud?
- Don’t turn anything up to the maximum.
- You want the volume to be at the lowest level where you can still hear and understand.
- If there is background noise, don’t crank up the volume all the way to fight it. Use noise-cancelling headphones or go somewhere quieter.
Dangers of cleaning your ears
You may feel the urge to clean your ears. Shockley says do less, or even nothing at all.
- Our ears clean themselves. As new skin grows, it takes wax with it out of your ear.
- When you clean your ears, you’re interrupting that natural cleaning process.
- You can also put yourself at risk for external ear infections – or make your ears itch more.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Hawaii
Hawaii Grown: Few isle players in College Football Playoff final four | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.
Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.
Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.
She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.
She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.
Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Boston City Hall intruder who stole from employees nabbed by police, after shoplifting arrest: BPD
5 Of The Weirdest Things You’ll Find At Denver International Airport – SlashGear
Seattle groups join national protest against ICE raids following Minneapolis shooting
2 San Diego Eateries Named Among ‘Most Beautiful New Restaurants’ In America
Milwaukee man charged; officer trapped in defendant’s getaway car
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
San Diego sues to stop border barrier construction
How Ukraine is shaping Europe’s response to Trump’s Greenland threats
GOP gearing up to face tough midterms. And, Pentagon reviews women in ground combat
Wyoming Supreme Court rules laws restricting abortion violate state constitution
How strong are Latin America’s military forces, as they face US threats?
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Science1 week agoWe Asked for Environmental Fixes in Your State. You Sent In Thousands.
-
Business1 week agoA tale of two Ralphs — Lauren and the supermarket — shows the reality of a K-shaped economy
-
Detroit, MI4 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Politics1 week agoCommentary: America tried something new in 2025. It’s not going well
-
Politics1 week agoMarjorie Taylor Greene criticizes Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy, Netanyahu: ‘Can we just do America?’
-
Health1 week agoRecord-breaking flu numbers reported in New York state, sparking warnings from officials