East Hawai‘i News

Local sponsors step forward each year to create scholarships that reflect their own values, journeys and hopes for the next generation — and 2026 marks the program’s most generous year yet.

Emergency repair work on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) will cause multiple single-lane closures beginning Jan. 5 through Jan. 27, weather permitting.

The most wonderful time of year has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the island. There just isn’t as much hustle and bustle as there was in December; so take some time to relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around on all those busy sidewalks.

Hilo resident Wayland Leong Sr. has been charged with multiple counts of criminal property damage related to incidents of shattered glass, with damages totaling an estimated value of $12,500.

There have been 883 DUI arrests so far in 2025, a 5.96% decrease compared with 939 during the same period last year.

After ancestral bones were found at the site of a new mailbox park being developed in Hawaiian Paradise Park, there has been ongoing, contentious debate between community members on whether the project should continue in the same location.

In the wake of the tragic Cristmas Eve accident, Hawaiʻi lost an esteemed emergency physician, Dr. Judy Fitzgerald, who left an indelible mark on patients and colleagues across the island.

Police are investigating the two-vehicle collision near the 13-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in Hilo that left Judith Fitzgerald of Kailua-Kona dead on Christmas Eve.

Now that the most wonderful day of the year and all the festivities that go with it are finally winding down, it’s time to change gears and look ahead at parties for New Year’s. Be sure to check out this week’s holiday happenings!

Hundreds gathered in Hawaiian Paradise Park to witness Stanward Oshiro’s captivating Punalights display on Christmas Eve, a tradition that continues to dazzle with its intricate, synchronized Christmas light show.

Holiday wishes were fulfilled for a total of 16,435 youth and seniors throughout The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, but the need is growing and continues beyond the holidays; consider setting up your own Virtual Red Kettle campaign before the end of the year to help.

The roadway was previously closed earlier during the night of Dec. 24 near the 14-mile marker because of a traffic crash.

Tree-cycling offered starting Dec. 28 at several recycling and transfer stations around the island for Christmas and holiday trees as well as kadomatsu decorations.

The rare ongoing eruption within Halema’uma’u Crater inside the summit caldera of the Big Island volcano began Dec. 23, 2024, with Episode 39 expected any day now.

George Foote was arrested after allegedly threatening to burn down a home on Hawaiian Beaches subdivision.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rangers want visitors to have a safe and memorable adventure this holiday season. Safety is their top priority, but it is your responsibility.

40-year-old George Foote of Pāhoa is detained in the Hilo Police Cellblock as detectives with Hawai’i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the incident that happened Friday night (Dec. 19).

Six of the drivers arrested for impaired driving during the week were involved in traffic crashes; five were younger than 21 years old.

Hawai’i Police Department thanks the public for its cooperation while the street was closed, which began at about 9 p.m. Friday.

Emergency repairs on Hawaiʻi Belt Road will begin Monday between Wainaku and Hakalau to address severe roadway distress and preserve access on this vital state highway