Four Big Island institutions are getting a charitable boost to their budgets. The Parker Ranch Foundation is giving away a total of two million dollars this year. From Kona, Sherry Bracken has the story.

All three Hawaii Island hospitals are on track to become Level 3 Trauma Centers. From Kona, Sherry Bracken tells us Kona Community Hospital and Hilo Medical Center should be first up.

The State Department of Transportation is about to embark upon a long-awaited project, the second phase of widening Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway in Kona. From Kona, Sherry Bracken tells us there will be a public information meeting Tuesday evening.

With the severity of the tsunami in Japan and more than $30-million dollars of damage here in the state from our own tsunami, disaster preparedness is very much on the mind of Hawaii citizens.

Hawaii State Civil Defense has set up a Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center in Kona to help those who suffered losses in the March 11 tsunami. From Kona, Sherry Bracken tells us more about the program.

The Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center is at Kona's Old Airport today and tomorrow from 10 am to 4 pm.