East Hawai‘i News

Waipiʻo Valley Access Road will reopen to residents with a valid driver’s license; all camping permits issued by the Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation remain valid.

There have been 19 fatal crashes resulting in 21 fatalities this year on the Big Island as of Aug. 27. Impairment from alcohol or drugs was a factor in 63% of those crashes.

Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner, and it doesn’t look like there’s any hurricanes to get in the way to stop you from getting out and going to see what’s happening around the island.

The Age Group 10 and Under Basketball League is scheduled to start play Sept. 16, with games Monday through Thursday.

33-year-old Gilbert K. Mata III is charged with first-degree criminal property damage, first-degree theft and several other offenses in connection with the incident that happened Sunday and started at a residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park.

As much as 18 inches of rain fell in some areas of East Hawai‘i, flooding roads in the Ka‘ū District and the Bayfront area in Hilo.

“On its current track, Hone will brush past the southern slopes of the Big Island tonight into Sunday morning, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large surf. Expect strong and gusty easterly winds and periods of heavy showers to continue Sunday into Monday as Hone passes south of the smaller islands.” — National Weather Service Hawai‘i Area Synopis from 12:08 p.m. today

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapa‘au, Honoka‘a, Pāpa‘ikou, Honomū, Pepe‘ekeo, Mountain View, Glenwood, Hakalau, Volcano, Nīnole, Kea‘au, Laupāhoehoe, Hawaiian Acres, ‘Ō‘ōkala, Orchidlands Estates, Pa‘auilo and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Regardless of knowing and how many times in advance of hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 in the Central Pacific, that people are told it’s impossible to precisely — 100% without a doubt, right on the money, no ifs, ands or buts — predict the movement of hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions, many still seem to enjoy living on the edge.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the entire Big Island as Hone is expected to bring increasing wind and the possibility of excessive rain to parts of the island this weekend. The storm was moving west at 16 mph. Its maximum sustained winds increased, now at 50 mph, up from 45 mph earlier this morning.

The newest detail to develop overnight was that once the storm passes by the Big Island, it is forecast to intensify, reaching hurricane strength late Sunday into Monday as it moves south of Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.

The latest forecast track issued at 5 p.m. today by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu shows Tropical Storm Hone’s center still passing south or possibly near the Big Island on Saturday night into Sunday morning as a strong tropical storm.

The unrest could represent another pulse of magma being supplied to the upper East Rift Zone following the intrusive event July 22-25 near Pauahi Crater.

Another 77 matchups in the master, junior and open classes are on today’s race card, slated to start at 8 a.m. Overflow parking is now available at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

31-year-old Dillon Royden Daimen Revila and 33-year-old Latoya-Lynn Pilialoha Spalding-Poepoe of Hilo face a slew of charges in connection with several separate vehicle thefts and an abuse incident spanning the past several months around the island. The also had outsanding warrants.

Today’s last race is expected to begin at 4:19 p.m., but the schedule can change. A medal ceremony is planned after matchups conclude for the day.

The work is scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Aug. 19-22, weather permitting. It could finish sooner.

The event features 8 days of prestigious international outrigger canoe racing, spotlighting the best of the best 1,866 teams of men, women and youth from around the world in the sport. It’s also a display of culture from around the world that’s not to be missed.

The powerhouses of paddling took to the waters of Hilo Bay a little later than planned Friday morning, officially launching 8 days of outrigger canoe racing on the Big Island.

Exclusive appearance of mascot and spokesperson was in honor of location’s outstanding performance in a national sales performance for the new Smashed Jack burger.