East Hawai‘i News
Update: Big Island police find endangered missing girl
13-year-old Kailea Kekipi was last seen at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 11 on Awela Street in Hilo.
Man falls overboard from cruise ship at sea offshore of Big Island
The missing man, identified as Kenneth Schwalbe of California, is described as 5-foot-5, 140 pounds with brown hair. He was last seen at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10.
Big Island police seek missing teen girl
16-year-old Kaila Harris, who was reported as a runaway, was last seen at about 11 p.m. Aug. 8 in Hawaiian Paradise Park area in Puna.
Speed limit reduced on Kalaniana‘ole Street in Hilo to protect nēnē — and pedestrians
Hawaiian geese are returning to the Keaukaha coastline on the Big Island, but now they have to deal with traffic, including speeding vehicles, which has had some deadly consequences for the endangered birds.
Perimeter fence to be in place soon around former Uncle Billy’s on Hilo’s Banyan Drive
The state has contracted Andrew’s Fencing of Hilo on the Big Island for the project. The company will start work this month, which will take about a month to complete.
Community meeting on Aug. 9 to discuss Paʻauʻau Drainage Project
The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works will host a community meeting to discuss the Paʻauʻau Drainage Project on August 9.
Hilo man charged in connection with theft of UH-Hilo van, another theft of Milwaukee brand toolbox
32 year-old Logan Arruda-Lorenzo faces first-degree and second-degree theft charges relating to two separate incidents on the Big Island earlier this year.
UPDATE: Victim of fatal Ka‘ū dog attack identified
The incident happened Tuesday morning in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the Big Island and is being investigated by the Hawai‘i Police Department as a negligent failure to control a dangerous dog case.
What should be done to revitalize Hilo’s historic Banyan Drive? Poll results are mixed
Demolition of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel is just one step to transforming the “Hilo Walk of Fame.” What did Big Island Now readers think should be done to revitalize Banyan Drive?
Demolition of former Uncle Billy’s in Hilo could begin by the end of this year
Because of recent actions by the Hawai’i County Council and Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, there is a mandate to fast track demolition of the abandoned 148-bedroom structure that formerly was Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel along Banyan Drive.
Puna man sentenced to 10 years in prison on gun, drug charges stemming from 2020 traffic stop
Omar Kesment New, 46 of Puna, pleaded no contest in 2022 to ownership or possession prohibited of a firearm and third-degree promoting a dangerous drug — and was sentenced this week in Hilo Circuit Court.
Big Island police ask for help with finding missing 14-year-old boy
King Kehoe, who was reported as a runaway, was last seen at about 2 p.m. July 26 in the area of Kalapana Gardens in Puna on the Big Island.
PHOTOS: Child & Family Service hosts East Hawai‘i Child and Family Fun Day
The free Big Island event offered crafts, games, food, informational fun booths, entertainment, prize giveaways, including backpacks with school supplies and starter emergency kits, and more.
Mountain View woman faces firearms, criminal property damage, other charges connected with 2 separate incidents
Levon Vares-Young made her initial court appearance for the firearms charges Friday. She appeared in court Thursday for charges related to criminal property damage and resisting an order to stop.
Two-day training course to teach techniques to improve listening, communication effectiveness
The Noho Paipai instructor training course will be hosted by John Pellitteri and provide those who participate with training, coaching and feedback to deliver certification coursework to improve listening and communication effectiveness.
Wainaku Street Rehabilitation Project in Hilo to restart July 20
Resurfacing of Wainaku Street from Hau Lane to ‘Ohana Place will take place on July 20 in Hilo.
Police seek assistance in identifying Kalapana burglary suspects
Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects involved in a burglary investigation that occurred on July 9 in the Kalapana-Kaimū area.
New initiatives aimed at mitigating visitor impacts, protecting resources in Keaukaha area of Hilo
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i County and Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau announced Tuesday two new community-based destination management initiatives — the Keaukaha Steward Pilot Program and Community Cultural-Based Education Program.
Update: Mamalahoa Highway in Naʻalehu is reopened following downed utility pole
Update: Mamalahoa Highway in Naʻalehu has reopened after repairs to a downed utility pole.
UPDATE: Police locate endangered Big Island man
The Hawai‘i Police Department says 68-year-old Wayne Knapstad of Volcano was last seen at 2:30 p.m. July 3 in the Volcano area. Anyone who might know his whereabouts is asked to call the police.
