East Hawai‘i News

The one-of-a-kind restaurant for Puna residents and visitors has become a local gathering spot known for its creative island-inspired menu, relaxed vibe and live local entertainment booked every weekend.

Community organizations, bands, clubs, businesses, civic groups, hula hālau, motorcades, custom cars, beauty queens, public officials and all others interested are invited to register now for the parade and brightly blanket the community in familiar festive features.

Patsy Iwasaki’s new “Gathering the Story: Designing Education Through the Documentary Lens” examines the critical yet understudied research and information-gathering stages of documentary filmmaking; it is now available for purchase at the University of Hawai‘i website.

Stacey Kehaulani Torigoe — who was born and raised in Hilo and is a graduate of Waiākea High School — is director of invasive species and biosecurity programs for the 354,461-acre Big Island national park.

South Hilo patrol officers responded at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 400 block of Iloko Street in Hilo following a report of a male in possession of a firearm who was making threatening statements.

The $90 million health center promises comprehensive medical and behavioral health services, catering to growing community needs by 2028.

The National Weather Service said in its 3 a.m. Friday advisory that flooding no longer is expected to pose a threat.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department reports that missing person David Armitage has been located in good health.

U.S. Geological Survey received more than 80 “Felt Reports” within first half-hour after the earthquake, which was widely felt around the Big Island; the farthest the quake was felt from its epicenter was in Kailua-Kona, about 49 miles away.

Water might contain higher-than-normal pollutant levels following storms or heavy rainfall. The department recommends staying out of these affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after rain stopped and the beach received full sunshine.

Water sample testing results show that the enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park.

A flood watch also remains in effect through Thursday evening for the entire island because of the possibility of heavy rainfall from the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Norbert.

It’s another interesting mix of events happening during the next week around the island; be sure to check out all top 10 things to do now!

The body of 76-year-old Donald Lawrence Yukitomo of Hilo was discovered Sept. 14 on Kuawa Street in Hilo; police are investigating his death as a homicide, and anyone who might have information about Yukitomo or what might have happened is urged to contact them.

43-year-old Conrad Keanini-Gomes is charged with first-degree arson in the case of a fire Sept. 13 at a residence on his father’s property in the Puna community that endangered the lives of 4 people, including 2 minor children.

This year’s screening, scheduled Sept. 17, takes on more significance after the death 80-year-old Tim Curry, who played the movie’s main character Dr. Frank N. Furter; his death was especially poignant for Aloha Theatre in Kealakekua that will present in October the stage version of the film, in which Curry also originated the role.

The court also denied Kekedi’s request for supervised release, maintained his bail at $472,000 and scheduled a further proceedings hearing for Nov. 10.

The project in Hawaiian Beaches is slated to begin Sept. 14, with work hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and expected to be completed in August 2027.

According to the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union, Hurricane Lala has caused more than $3 million in reported losses across 79 types of farms.

Puna resident, biology major and Bonner Leader Lexy Ramos was tabbed for the national honor for her commitment to healthcare equity and community leadership around Hawaiʻi Island.