East Hawaii News

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders received a report at 3:22 p.m. Monday from the captain of fishing vessel Honua-‘Oe requesting a medevac for a 51-year-old man who injured his abdomen when he fell into a porthole.

Vigorous fountaining from vents in the southwest corner of Halemaʻmaʻu Crater within Kaluapele, the volcano’s summit caldera, rapidly died down a few minutes just before 11 a.m. Lava then began draining back into tthe vent at nearly the same time summit tiltmeters started recording a change from deflation to inflation.

31-year-old Clyde T. Loa and 41-year-old Kawai J. Pomroy are still at large after reportedly escaping Dec. 13 from the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center reintegration facility.

Fountaining of lava began to increase in vigor by about 11 a.m. today, signaling the onset of the second episode of the eruption, which started early Monday within and remains confined to the volcano’s summit caldera and downdropped block.

Several libraries around the island also have adjusted hours today, Christmas Eve, and on New Year’s Eve.

Volunteer elves from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program are back at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo make sure you get the perfect outside presentation for that greatest of all time gift inside.

All County of Hawaiʻi solid waste facilities will be closed all day Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Each of these organizations was chosen for its commitment to addressing community needs and enhancing resilience and quality of life for Puna residents.

Project Hawaiʻi needs urgent support to bring holiday magic to Big Island youth experiencing homelessness.

Enjoy the full slate of what our truly loved Big Island gave to us to do this year for the holidays. It is much better than a partridge in a pear tree or 4 calling birds. At least in our opinion.

The 46-year-old Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center, known as HCCC, is the most overcrowded correctional facility in the state and likely will remain so despite the additional 1,940 square feet of housing from the Kaumana Housing Unit project.

Inmates 31-year-old Clyde Takeshi Talosaga Loa Jr. and 41-year-old Kawai James Pomroy remain at large. The three escaped Dec. 13 in a car owned by one of the facility’s employees.

Police have made a total of 923 DUI arrests so far this year, a 2.33% increase from the 902 made by this time in 2023.

Drivers are advised to pay attention and drive carefully as a road paving project will close portions of Makaʻala Street in Hilo today and tomorrow.

As the first Hilo SingAlong Messiah without Tom McAlexander, the event will begin with a short celebration of his life and his 25-year devotion to the Hilo choral community.

The Rainbow Legacy Scholarship application is still open for LGBTQIA and MVPFAFF+ youth planning a secondary education.

Kanaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) Puʻuwai Tollefson-Kelly is deeply rooted in values that honor her culture and foster meaningful connections. Her passion for education and service will be in the spotlight as she gives her address as student speaker Saturday during the commencement ceremony at Vulcan Gymnasium in Hilo.

36-year-old Sione Siale was arrested and charged following the incident Dec. 11 at a residence on Pearl Drive. He is charged with first-degree reckless endangering, 2 counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and ownership or possession of firearm or ammunition prohibited.

Officials will share detailed insights about the plant’s current status and future plans. A representative from Hawaiʻi County is also expected to participate. Questions and feedback will be welcome.

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association will move its park store 1.2 miles west to a welcome center in the Koa Room at Kīlauea Military Camp. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will also operate visitor services from the Koa Room.