East Hawai‘i News

Hawaiian language immersion programs throughout the islands are growing fast. Fast enough they are strained to keep up with the demand, needing more qualified teachers; a University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo program director and educator is dedicated to filling the gap.

The pool at William “Billy” Kenoi District Park was shuttered Jan. 24 when tephra — volcanic material including ash and volcanic glass Pele’s hair — from Episode 41 of the ongoing episodic summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano was carried by wind, making its way into the facility and surrounding areas.

James Fonseca was last seen at 3 p.m. Feb. 27 on Ala Oli Street in Hilo. Have you seen him? If you have, call police immediately.

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

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting site preparations in Hilo Bayfront Park for a skate ramp donated by Dan Madsen, owner of Oasis Skateboards.

Elika Akamai Nohoomakeaka Keiki Perry was arrested and charged in relation to Feb. 19 burglaries at Prince Kūhīo Plaza and at Long’s Drugs.

Hundreds of community members come together in downtown Hilo for a day to celebrate niu — the coconut — as a symbol of life, resilience and cultural continuity.

Mauna Loa’s Volcano Alert Level is at Normal and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory expects to see changes such as increased seismicity or gas emissions before any future eruption; keeping a close eye on the volcanoes even during quiet times can teach important lessons that will inform our interpretations and decisions as conditions change.

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for any information on Victoria Geil, who was last seen in Mountain View on Dec. 3, 2025 and was reported as a runaway.

Ambronette ‘Amber’ Rivera received the award earlier this month from Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi during its annual Membership Meeting; congratulated by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green and first lady Jaime Kanani Green and honored by state legislators and others.

The family-friendly fundraiser April 18 at Walter Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo is dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect in Hawai‘i.

The newly reopened branch in Hilo — which has been inside the KTA Super Stores location at Pū‘āinakō for 30 years — demonstrates the bank’s continued commitment to Hawai‘i Island.

Police have made 95 DUI arrests so far this year, a decrease of 22.76c5 from the 123 DUI arrests made by the same time last year.

The National Weather service have extended the island’s high surf advisory until 6 p.m., with waves of 7 to 10 feet still expected.

The collection events March 7 in Waimea and March 8 in Pāhoa will allow households a chance to conveniently dispose of acceptable hazardous waste in a manner that protects public health and the environment.

Hilo Benioff Medical Center is consistently over capacity, which will not be alleviated until the hospital’s 66,000-square-foot expansion is complete.

This weekend is so packed with events and activities — all on Friday and Saturday — there wasn’t room in the top 10 for anything else! Check them out now; we’re sure you’ll have a great time at whichever events and activities you attend.

Fee at Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will be $5 per cubic yard; fee at East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility will be $20 per cubic yard as of March 1.

New information about the power companyʻs Repower Project, timelines and next milestones will be presented the public meeting at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility.

A preliminary hearing is set for Ha‘oli Kanawaliwali Santos and Hunta Santos, both of Hilo, who were arrested in relation to a series of burglaries last week and were released on supervised bail.