East Hawai‘i News
Hilo Aloha celebrates culture, creativity, community during Merrie Monarch Week
New weeklong gathering at historic Hilo Palace Theater will feature workshops, live performances, mākeke and community event.
Information you need to know about the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival — and more
Hilo on the Big Island once again becomes the hula capital of the world this week with the return of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival; the 63rd installment of the weeklong celebration of everything hula and Hawaiian runs from Easter Sunday, April 5, through April 11 this year.
Change coming to how volcano alert level, aviation color code are applied during Kīlauea lava fountaining episodes
These updates will more clearly distinguish hazards during eruptive pauses and lava fountaining episodes.
18 lane closures scheduled during week of April 4-10 on Big Island state roadways
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
National Weather Service issues special weather statement in advance of Episode 44 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit
Forecasters say if lava fountaining happens, varying levels of ash, Pele’s hair and other lightweight tephra could fall downwind of the summit. Smaller particles can travel farther from the summit and could affect communities at greater distances.
63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival official schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants, participating hālau hula
Annual Hoʻolauleʻa kicks off the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian at 9 a.m. Sunday, April 5, with competition in the ‘Super Bowl’ of hula beginning Thursday, April 9, with Miss Aloha Hula contest.
Puna man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual assault of minor
The case stems from incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2022, when Bryan Flores was the minor’s muay thai coach; Flores pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault in October 2025.
AARP events will help fight fraud throughout the month
A series of events in April will bolster fraud prevention awareness, coinciding with AARP Fraud Prevention Month
Hawaiian Studies program teaches hula as a living practice at Hawaiʻi Community College
The program is rooted in the legacy of Edith Kanakaʻole and her philosophy of “teach all who come to learn,” and the focus on hula has helped deepened the cultural identity of Native Hawaiians.
Volcano Watch: Adapting to an evolving eruption; revising Kīlauea’s alert level, aviation color code notifications
After Episode 44 ends, assuming activity is similar to the first 43 episodes, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will lower alert level and aviation color code for Kīlauea one level lower than the current norm, to Advisory and Yellow, respectively.
UPDATE: 17-year-old runaway found in good health
Juwika Langu, who was previously reported as a runaway, was found March 25 in Hilo.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 3-9: 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival, Easter brunch, Waikōloa’s Egghunt and more
Next week is a big one for the Big Island. It’s Merrie Monarch time, celebrating all things Hawaiian. plus, it’s Easter Weekend. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces April flight operations
Management of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park requires the use of aircraft to maintain park facilities and other operations; dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
Big Island nonprofit works to enhance safety for people with autism, other developmental disabilities
The 5th Annual Autism Walk at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo this Saturday, April 4 aims to create a safer community for people with disabilities by promoting new communication methods and helpful resources.
Hop over to Kea‘au for a day filled with fun for the entire ‘ohana
Fourth annual Kea‘au Family Fun Day runs until 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, and includes the state’s largest Easter egg hunt, with more than 37,000 eggs for keiki — of all abilities — to find; even the adults get to have some egg-finding fun. Plus there’s a ton of other events and activities planned throughout the day.
Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June
A new medical building in Hilo with 19 intensive care unit beds and 36 progressive care unit beds is slated for completion in early 2027.
UPDATE: Police report Kaʻūmana Drive near 7-mile marker open to all traffic
That portion of the roadway in Hilo was previously closed earlier Saturday afternoon because of a traffic crash.
16 lane closures scheduled during week of March 28-April 3 on Big Island state roadways
In observance of Good Friday, April 3, there will be no contraflow or lane closures unless otherwise permitted; Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice.
For first time, League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi County co-sponsors No Dictators Protest in Hilo
East Hawaiʻi Indivisible and League of Women Voters invite people to attend this peaceful protest — one of more than 3,000 throughout the nation — to stand for the rule of law, against the Iran war and for dignity of all people; other protests also planned in Kailua-Kona, Nāʻālehu, Waikōloa and Waimea.
Volcano Watch: Taking Kīlauea’s temperature
Geochemical analysis of erupted tephra samples during the past decade help scientists understand the temperature of Kīlauea’s shallow magma system under the summit — and things have been “heating up!”
