East Hawaii News

Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit now has 16 vehicles in its Hele-On Kakoʻo Paratransit Services fleet, helping increase on-time performance and reliability for users.

Rooted in compassion and opportunity, the Kruschel Endowment to Reduce Insecurity will provide direct assistance to University of Hawai’i at Hilo students facing financial hardship, focusing on such basic needs as housing, food, transportation, communication, technology and access to essential resources.

Wailuku River State Park (Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots) in Hilo and Kekaha Kai State Park in Kona will begin charging parking fees for nonresidents and commercial vehicles; Hawaiʻi residents, however, will continue to receive free parking.

Hawai‘i joins the nation this year in observing the annual Smokeout today (Nov. 20), and Hawaiʻi Department of Health encourages island residents to use this date to quit — even if it is for a day.

“Time is of the essence when a tsunami threatens Hawai‘i Island, so we encourage everyone living, working or learning in coastal areas to know and practice their escape routes,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda.

The holidays are officially upon us as we head into Thanksgiving week, and the top 10 definitely reflects the most wonderful time of the year, with several events celebrating Turkey Day 2025 and another holiday market. Be sure to check them out now!

There will be two Big Island locations community members can find the big red vending machines to donate to people in need; one will be at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo and the other at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa.

“By bringing the Family Resource Center directly into our communities, we’re able to meet families where they are, offer immediate assistance and build relationships that strengthen the well-being of our keiki and ʻohana.” — Neighborhood Place of Puna Executive Director Paul Normann

Gaseous pillars and a sparkling star cluster, reminiscent of rain in ʻōhiʻa forests, featured in the image from Gemini North telescope atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

Vulcans seeded No. 9 in NCAA Super 4 Regional, will enter NCAA postseason for the first time in program history.

Secondary traffic crashes are the No. 1 cause of death nationwide for emergency responders.

The meeting is slated for 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-0322 Kauhale St., in Pāhoa.

Employees donate rice for local food banks; holiday recipe contest celebrates cooking with local ingredients

Melia Goodenow has spent three decades harnessing the healing energies of Hawaii’s indigenous flowers through Hawaiian Rainforest Naturals and nine different flower essences.

Local residents clash over “Falls on Fire,” a festival that has been held for three years on the Big Island without a required permit — and that has passionate supporters and opponents.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Will any of these planned closures impact your commute or fun? Take a look and plan ahead now.

The street on the north side of HIlo was previously shuttered Friday evening (Nov. 14) because of a downed tree across the roadway.

42-year-old Earl Kekuanaoa Hind, who was last known to have launched his fishing vessel Makalapua Onalani from the South Point area, has not been heard from since that day on April 7.

Officers from Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Crime Reduction Unit and Hilo Community Policing Section as well as Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources executed a search warrant Friday morning (Nov. 14) at the former hotel on Kino‘ole Street, directly across from Kalākaua Park.

Hawai’i Island police report Darius Kanekoa-Gentzler was found in good health nearly 10 days after he was last seen.