East Hawaii News

Hot Rides Expo and Hilo Bay Blast once again offer full day of events, including live music, food trucks, keiki activities and vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles rolling into bayfront, plus a fantastic fireworks show accompanied by live music. Meanwhile, the annual Independence Day Parade and Independence Day Extravaganza fireworks exhibition return to downton Kailua-Kona for everyone’s 4th of July evening enjoyment.

Permits can be purchased through 8 p.m. July 4 for $25 by those 18 years old and older at TNT Tents in Hilo, Kona and Keaʻau.

However, Hawaiʻi County reports that scrap metal and appliance recycling will be unavailable on the holiday

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating the potential drowning of a 51-year old visitor following a scuba diving lesson at Waiolena Beach Park on June 30.

Hawai’i Island police are renewing their plea for public assistance in solving the July 2021 murder of Michael Rosenbaum, whose body was found at MacKenzie State Recreation Area with a gunshot wound.

Hilo Patrol Officer Lawrence Kobayashi, South Kohala Patrol Officer Landon Takenishi and Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit Sgt. Thomas Koyanagi were honored for their efforts and dedication in the fight against impaired driving to reduce injuries and deaths on Big Island roadways.

High fountains lasted nearly 11 hours and produced about 1.6 bilion gallons of lava, covering 80% of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor within the Big Island volcano’s summit caldera. Lava flows from this episode could continue to exhibit slow movement or incandescence throughout the coming days.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park ask the public to be aware that traffic congestion is an issue in and around the park, with reports on social media saying to expect delays just getting into the park and traveling through the Volcano area. They also offer tips to see the spectacular geysers of molten rock is safe.

Open call issued for musicians through July 25. The Beyond the Mic music showcase will feature four rising Hawai‘i Island selected solo artists or music groups to have their voices and stories elevated.

It will be the third Mauna Kea observatory decommissioned under the university’s Maunakea Comprehensive Management Plan, following Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Hōkū Keʻa Observatory, both completed in 2024.

“Sustained lava fountaining is likely to begin on June 29 or 30 [Sunday or Monday] based on the current rate of summmit inflation, but could begin sooner if precursory activity escalates.” — Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Under the project, 12 aging generating units will be replaced with three modern generators to produce more power while decreasing its emissions footprint and electric costs to customers.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Check to see if any of the planned closures will impact your commute during the next week.

A total of 449 drivers have been arrested for DUI on Big Island roadways so far this year, a decrease of 3.23% compared with the 464 police took into custody within the same time period in 2024.

Fraudsters in widespread scam are using names of actual department personnel and claiming those they call owe money for missed court appearances or outstanding warrants.

Hawai‘i Island police identified the man as Terry Lytle. The investigation into the incident in which Lytle was injured also has been reclassified from a negligent injury to a negligent homicide.

Interim director at Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter did not renew contracts for three educators despite significant teacher turn over and just before a new director starts on July 1.

Finn McCall with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation says crews look to be about halfway done with the excavation portion of the project to reopen ocean access to boat ramp that has been landlocked since 2018 eruption of Kīlauea; looks like they could be done ahead of schedule.

The spectacular series of Kīlauea eruptive episodes during the past 6 months has been remarkably safe for public viewing, but a simple change in wind or brief vent collapse could cause dramatic shift in the hazards produced by the volcano.

Diversity and culture are on display in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island, from the types of events and activities happening to the people and places they represent.