East Hawaii News
Big Island lane closures for week of Nov. 16-22
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
Big Islandʻs food bank adds more programs to battle rising costs and insecurity
“With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s a time when everyone starts to think about hunger, and itʻs a huge problem,” said Kristin Frost Albrecht, executive director of The Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
Update: High surf advisory extended through Monday morning for east-facing shores of Big Island
Large breking waves of 9 to 13 feet can be expected along east-facing shores as strong easterly winds continue to blow across the island through the weekend.
Proposed health center in Keaʻau moving forward with $25 million commitment from billionaire
The Hilo Benioff Medical Center is planning a fundamental extension of its services with a proposed out-patient medical facility on about 9 acres of land near Keaʻau High School.
Update: State cancels high bacteria count notification for Honoli‘i Cove in East Hawai‘i
Bacteria levels of 1,652 per 100 mL were detected during routine monitoring. Another water sample was collected and the site is being retested.
Update: Police identify man and woman killed in head-on crash in Volcano
The Volcano residents who died in the early morning Nov. 9 crash on Highway 11 in Volcano were 48-year-old Joanna Graves and 54-year-old David Makizuru.
Update: Brown water advisory canceled for Big Island’s Hāmākua Coast
The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported the cancellation the afternoon of Nov. 13. The advisory went into effect the afternoon of Nov. 6.
Waimea man faces drug, firearms charges following early morning traffic stop in Puna
42-year-old George-David Summers was arrested Nov. 8 after Hawai‘i Police Department officers executed a search warrant on the vehicle he was driving on Government Beach Road and recovered a loaded .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle, 16-plus grams of methamphetamine and more.
Security equipment problems cause delays, missed flights at Hilo International Airport
During the past few days, people have taken to social media to complain about long security lines at the airport; Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration quiet about how equipment problems are being addressed.
Update: Previously reported missing 39-year-old man found in Pāhoa
Hawai‘i Island police report 39-year-old Matthew James Naden was located in good health.
Family desparate for answers a year and a half after disappearance of Pāhoa Purple Heart recipient
The last time anyone saw 34-year-old Kelly Gravitt was the evening of May 19, 2023. His father fears the worst, and Hawai‘i Island police still have no information or leads as to the whereabouts or what happened to the U.S. Army veteran.
Big Isle teen runs away again and police want to know if you have seen him
16-year-old King J. Kehoe was reported as a runaway just 3 days after police located him in connection with another report of him running away at the end of October.
Business Monday: Veteran transitions from Army chemical operations to Big Island farmer
With support from Hoʻola Farms, U.S. Army veteran Amanda Cox finds her roots in agribusiness as she develops I Ka Ua Farm.
Big Island students are recognized for essays about volunteering in their community
Two students were awarded $500 for their essays about their volunteer service and connecting it with their specific communities.
State trying to purchase 9 acres of private land to expand Hilo Harbor
The state is trying to acquire five parcels of land for a needed expansion of the Big Island’s most important harbor, but it would mean relocating about 15 businesses and a church.
Temporary closure continues for Mauna Loa Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Survey, drilling and soil sampling work is underway as the initial step of a project to improve the safety and accessibility of the scenic roadway; however, some access will be provided.
Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 7-13: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival continues, Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire goes medieval, extravaganza kicks off holidays in Waimea and more
After this week, we’re sure everybody could use a simple does of good old-fashioned fun. The Big Island is here to oblige. Check out the top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
Update: One of two suspects in Hilo burglary identified, arrested and charged
47-year-old Sheldon Pagan of Hilo is charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree criminal property damage in connection with the early morning Sept. 15 incident at a business in the 100 block of Kalanianaʻole Street.
Big Isle man accused of stealing ATV from Kea‘au High School in August now charged with theft of trailer from Pāhoa school
28 year-old Ha‘aheo Chan of Mountain View faces thef, drug and firearm charges after Hawai‘i Island police recovered a trailer reported stolen from the campus of Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School and executed a search warrant in a bedroom thought to be Chan’s at a Sandalwood Drive residence in Pāhoa.
Joining forces to prevent suicide
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is partnering with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and other state, local, military, public and private sector in an effort to advance the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan by answering the call to care, connect and collaborate with other traditional and non-traditional partners.
