East Hawai‘i News

Kymahni Mata, 13, was found by Hawaiʻi Police Department after being reported as missing at 2:45 p.m March 17.

Kole Race-Joaquin, 43, was charged with theft and unauthorized vehicle control and could face a mandatory prison term if convicted.

Hawaiʻi police ask for the public’s assistance in finding 44-year-old Sarah Hurst, last seen in Hilo’s Waiākea Uka area on Thursday, March 5.

Hawaiʻi Police Chief Reed Mahuna is hosting a talk story in Honokaʻa on March 17 to strengthen ties between police and residents.

Organization and its volunteers deliver more than 600 meals to impacted residents and first responders throughout the state.

Radar indicated at 9:13 p.m. heavy rain over all of the Big Island, falling at 1 to 3 inches per hour; several stream gauges remain above flood warning thresholds islandwide, and life-threatening flash flooding was ongoing, with reports of highway closures and flooding in local communities.

The department is celebrating the 2026 installment of the special observance by helping customers learn how to identify and fix common household water leaks; events to be hosted in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, with chances for prizes.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

In an unusual creative collaboration, Hawaiʻi small businesses ʻIwi Nails and Kahua ʻĀina have partnered with Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge to showcase and fund the conservation of the state’s endangered birds.

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

More than 155 “Felt Reports” were made from around the Big Island within the first half-hour after the quake struck.

Severe weather also results in shuttering of all state offices and services, schools including University of Hawaiʻi campuses and activities, Hawaiʻi Legislature, state parks, several areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and public libraries on the Big Island.

The workshop is from 1 to 4 p.m. today (March 12) at Hilo Food Hub on Kalanianaʻole Street, with Brett Carey of We Make HI as featured presenter.

National Weather Service issued a flood watch in effect through Saturday afternoon (March 14) for Hawaiʻi Island as conditions are expected to become favorable; the storm could even produce brief and weak tornadoes in addition to isolated severe thunderstorms.

Volcanic material as large as 6 inches was reported at Volcano Golf Course on Tuesday (March 10), with the village experiencing significant fallout; falling tephra caused closures of a portion of Highway 11, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, swimming pools and at least one school, emergency shelter opening and new summit webcam getting ‘clobbered.’

Outdoor recreation — including camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, etc. — and boating or other water activities during inclement weather put not only yourself but first responders at greater risk in an emergency.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu report radar shows that heavy rainfall diminished and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.

The romantic musical directed by Jennie Kaneshiro blends universal themes of love, culture and aspirations that resonate with the local communities in Hawaiʻi.

Residents can visit the tephra information center to learn how to clean tephra from their homes, protect water catchment tanks and make requests for assistance.

Mulaun Porter was previously reported March 10 as missing. She was found late Tuesday night (March 10) in good health.