East Hawai‘i News

With the Feb. 14 holiday for sweethearts on the horizon, Alison Higgins of Grace Flowers Hawaiʻi is readying her Honokaʻa shop for a surge in last-minute floral orders for family members, spouses, friends and sweethearts.

It was a tortoise and koi fish at the Hilo zoo that predicted the Seahawks championship, and with just a little more than a quarter left to play in the Big Game, we will soon know if they were correct.

Police responded to a collision that involving an all-terrain vehicle that resulted in a man’s death late Saturday night in Honokaʻa.

Looking for a place to grab a seat, some food and maybe a drink or two during Super Bowl LX this afternoon? We’ve got you covered with this extensive list of venues simply showing the game and others hosting watch parties.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department report that Hawaiʻi Belt Road at mile marker 36 has reopened to all traffic.

Applicants must be 18 years old by the deadline, with additional job requirements including a current lifeguarding certification and successful completion of a swimming and skills test; deadline to apply is March 31.

Readers in grades kindergarten through 12 participating in the winter reading challenge that runs through Feb. 22 can win prizes from U.S. Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi.

Everyone is urged to celebrate Super Bowl LX safely by making a plan before festivities begin. The most important step is having a sober ride in advance, whether that means designating a sober driver, using a taxi service or calling for a rideshare.

There have been 64 DUI arrests made so far this year, an almost 19% decrease from the 79 from the same period in 2025; DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

Residents and visitors alike should be storm ready before the arrival of the expected wicked weather this weekend and into early next week that could bring heavy rainfall, flooding and strong, gusty winds to parts of the Big Island and elsewhere throughout the islands.

Police previously advised the public late Thursday night (Feb. 5) to stay out of that area in Hilo because of what they called a “structurally compromised” banyan tree; social media posts showed the tree to be on fire.

Like the “Did You Feel It?” earthquake reporting tool helps make maps of areas affected by shaking, the new tool helps scientists map areas affected by tephra fallout; observations will be used to assess the character and size of the eruption plumes from Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island, along with the dispersal pattern of tephra fall.

Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.

We’re taking a different approach this week, highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go”; Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week, and now more than ever, the youth theatre program needs your help. Find this and more in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.

Grand opening set for Feb. 13 at new location on the Maka‘ala Street campus, with festivities including giveaways, refreshments and entertainment; current store location will remain open through Feb. 7.

Hawai‘i Island keiki in kindergarten through sixth grade can submit original artwork depicting this year’s theme “Make Every Drop Count.”

Management of the national park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources as well as to maintain backcountry facilities.

Free communitywide cultural and educational gathering planned for Feb. 22 in downtown Hilo.

72-year-old Antoinette Amii and a 56-year-old Neilla Lee, who were tenants of the former factory building that was converted into an apartment building, died in the November 2025 blaze.

The project will occur in phases — between Kanoelehua Avenue and Pūʻainakō Street — and all work will happen from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, weather permitting.