East Hawaii News

Motorists are advised to exercise caution and follow flagmen instructions for traffic control on Hawaiʻi Belt Road, south of Donola Drive.

A team of Kealakehe students are working to get to the top 8 teams of the written debate competition, which would allow them to debate in New York City and compete for $10,000 grand prize.

Hilo residents near Makaʻala Street may have discoloration next week as a fire hydrant flow test by the Department of Water Supply occurs at Home Depot on Wednesday.

Another round of moisture makes its way into the state and will likely persist tonight and linger through Tuesday, with Big Island and Kauaʻi having the greatest potential for excessive rain and flooding; winds also will pick up today at lower elevations on Big Island.

An easterly wind fetch generated by lowering pressures south and west of the islands will significantly increase easterly wind wave swell; surf of 10 to 12 feet is forecast, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents that will make swimming dangerous.

Peak monthly high tides combined with higher-than-predicted water levels will continue to lead to minor flooding along shorelines and in low-lying coastal areas, with flooding still most likely near the daily peak high tides early in the morning.

Radar indicated at 1:26 p.m. that heavy rain — still generally falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with the heaviest rates between Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Pāhoa, including portions of Pāhoa-Kalapana Road and Highway 11.

“Storms like this are unpredictable and potentially dangerous, so we urge the public to be prepared,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “The picture right now looks like the biggest risk is to Puna and Hilo communities, but that could shift to Ka‘ū or to Kona coast communities by later this weekend.”

Since Dec. 23, 2024, the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, inside Kaluapele, the summit caldera, have erupted in 39 lava fountaining episodes.

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

Local sponsors step forward each year to create scholarships that reflect their own values, journeys and hopes for the next generation — and 2026 marks the program’s most generous year yet.

Emergency repair work on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) will cause multiple single-lane closures beginning Jan. 5 through Jan. 27, weather permitting.

The most wonderful time of year has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the island. There just isn’t as much hustle and bustle as there was in December; so take some time to relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around on all those busy sidewalks.

Hilo resident Wayland Leong Sr. has been charged with multiple counts of criminal property damage related to incidents of shattered glass, with damages totaling an estimated value of $12,500.

There have been 883 DUI arrests so far in 2025, a 5.96% decrease compared with 939 during the same period last year.

After ancestral bones were found at the site of a new mailbox park being developed in Hawaiian Paradise Park, there has been ongoing, contentious debate between community members on whether the project should continue in the same location.

In the wake of the tragic Cristmas Eve accident, Hawaiʻi lost an esteemed emergency physician, Dr. Judy Fitzgerald, who left an indelible mark on patients and colleagues across the island.

Police are investigating the two-vehicle collision near the 13-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in Hilo that left Judith Fitzgerald of Kailua-Kona dead on Christmas Eve.

Now that the most wonderful day of the year and all the festivities that go with it are finally winding down, it’s time to change gears and look ahead at parties for New Year’s. Be sure to check out this week’s holiday happenings!

Hundreds gathered in Hawaiian Paradise Park to witness Stanward Oshiro’s captivating Punalights display on Christmas Eve, a tradition that continues to dazzle with its intricate, synchronized Christmas light show.