East Hawai‘i News

The show — with a raw honesty and contemporary relevance — explores themes of loneliness, truth, mental health and the universal desire to be seen and understood; it opens Friday (Feb. 13) at East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center in downtown Hilo.

“The Rose Award recognizes women in our community who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through their employment, volunteer activities and associations.” said Zonta Club of Hilo President Laurie Higashi.

This comprehensive course — with online and in-person sessions — covers vital components of emergency preparedness and response, including triage and first aid, search and rescue and fire suppression and safety.

Journey Through the Universe hosted its 22nd year with 46 volunteer educators visiting classrooms, participating in career panels and hosting community events all about astronomy.

Big Island residents are invited Feb. 21 to Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo for the chance to connect with top employers, grow their professional network, access education and training resources and more.

With the Feb. 14 holiday for sweethearts on the horizon, Alison Higgins of Grace Flowers Hawaiʻi is readying her Honokaʻa shop for a surge in last-minute floral orders for family members, spouses, friends and sweethearts.

It was a tortoise and koi fish at the Hilo zoo that predicted the Seahawks championship, and with just a little more than a quarter left to play in the Big Game, we will soon know if they were correct.

Police responded to a collision that involving an all-terrain vehicle that resulted in a man’s death late Saturday night in Honokaʻa.

Looking for a place to grab a seat, some food and maybe a drink or two during Super Bowl LX this afternoon? We’ve got you covered with this extensive list of venues simply showing the game and others hosting watch parties.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department report that Hawaiʻi Belt Road at mile marker 36 has reopened to all traffic.

Applicants must be 18 years old by the deadline, with additional job requirements including a current lifeguarding certification and successful completion of a swimming and skills test; deadline to apply is March 31.

Readers in grades kindergarten through 12 participating in the winter reading challenge that runs through Feb. 22 can win prizes from U.S. Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi.

Everyone is urged to celebrate Super Bowl LX safely by making a plan before festivities begin. The most important step is having a sober ride in advance, whether that means designating a sober driver, using a taxi service or calling for a rideshare.

There have been 64 DUI arrests made so far this year, an almost 19% decrease from the 79 from the same period in 2025; DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

Residents and visitors alike should be storm ready before the arrival of the expected wicked weather this weekend and into early next week that could bring heavy rainfall, flooding and strong, gusty winds to parts of the Big Island and elsewhere throughout the islands.

Police previously advised the public late Thursday night (Feb. 5) to stay out of that area in Hilo because of what they called a “structurally compromised” banyan tree; social media posts showed the tree to be on fire.

Like the “Did You Feel It?” earthquake reporting tool helps make maps of areas affected by shaking, the new tool helps scientists map areas affected by tephra fallout; observations will be used to assess the character and size of the eruption plumes from Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island, along with the dispersal pattern of tephra fall.

Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.

We’re taking a different approach this week, highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go”; Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week, and now more than ever, the youth theatre program needs your help. Find this and more in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.

Grand opening set for Feb. 13 at new location on the Maka‘ala Street campus, with festivities including giveaways, refreshments and entertainment; current store location will remain open through Feb. 7.