Last chance to take in the BIA-Hawaii Homebuilding and Remodeling Show — Head for the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this weekend for inspiration and tips on improving your home.

The potentially life-threatening gusts predicted for much of Hawaii end up moving out of harm’s way, as Mother Nature decides to spare the islands a severe blow.

CURRENT WEATHER High Wind Warning STRONG AND LOCALLY DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO AFFECT THE STATE THROUGH FRIDAY… GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT ON KAUAI OAHU MOLOKAI AND NIIHAU AS A STRONG COLD …

Bellows and Waimanalo Bay beach parks on the Windward side will also be closed as a precaution against breaking tree limbs.

Gov. Linda Lingle has named veteran government executive and Maui attorney Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran to serve the two-year term of the late Democratic state Rep.

Olelo Community Television will officially open a new Community Media Center located on the campus of Leilehua High School on Oahu on Thursday, January 15, 2009.

On the Big Island, an early morning fire destroyed a Hilo home. A picture sent to KHNL just minutes after the fire started shows intense flames.

The waters have receded, but fears of more flooding are still high for residents in West Oahu.

The rains have subsided and now residents of Oahu and Kauai are cleaning up and assessing the damage from last weekend’s downpours.

Former Philadelphia resident Reun Vorn moved his family to Hawaii this year to start a farm in Waialua, growing pumpkins, long beans, eggplants, bittermelons and other vegetables he sold at local markets.