East Hawaii News

It’s the largest public pre-kindergarten expansion on Hawaiʻi Island’s eastside under Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s Ready Keiki initiative.

One lane of the highway in the area of the 19-mile marker was previously closed Saturday evening because of a traffic crash.

The invite — hosted by University of Hawai’i at Hilo and featuring the host along with three other NCAA Division II teams — kicked off the afternoon of Nov. 22 and continued that evening and has another two games Nov. 23 at Vulcan Gym on the campus of the university’s campus in Hilo.

In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no contraflow or lane closures Nov. 27 unless otherwise permitted. Otherwise, be sure to check if any of these upcoming road closures and projects will impact your commute this coming week.

Studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments will be available for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income, with the first units anticipated to be ready in early 2026.

The county Department of Environmental Management respectfully asks for your kōkua — please do not litter or illegally dump any materials at the closed facilities.

Lorne Raymond Hisatoshi Ito, 25, faces multiple charge following an incident that began with reckless driving in Keaʻau and ended with terroristic threatening in Hilo.

Kaieaʻaukananiʻi Grabow left home on Nov. 15 and is believed to be in the Hilo area.

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids now account for 15% of new vehicle registrations; utility continues work to enhance charging equipment reliability.

The largest Hawaiʻi earthquake of the 20th century and so far in the 21st century happened 50 years ago this month; shaking as well as ground subsidence and a local tsunami contributed to a catastrophic sequence of events Nov. 29, 1975.

Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit now has 16 vehicles in its Hele-On Kakoʻo Paratransit Services fleet, helping increase on-time performance and reliability for users.

Rooted in compassion and opportunity, the Kruschel Endowment to Reduce Insecurity will provide direct assistance to University of Hawai’i at Hilo students facing financial hardship, focusing on such basic needs as housing, food, transportation, communication, technology and access to essential resources.

Wailuku River State Park (Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots) in Hilo and Kekaha Kai State Park in Kona will begin charging parking fees for nonresidents and commercial vehicles; Hawaiʻi residents, however, will continue to receive free parking.

Hawai‘i joins the nation this year in observing the annual Smokeout today (Nov. 20), and Hawaiʻi Department of Health encourages island residents to use this date to quit — even if it is for a day.

“Time is of the essence when a tsunami threatens Hawai‘i Island, so we encourage everyone living, working or learning in coastal areas to know and practice their escape routes,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda.

The holidays are officially upon us as we head into Thanksgiving week, and the top 10 definitely reflects the most wonderful time of the year, with several events celebrating Turkey Day 2025 and another holiday market. Be sure to check them out now!

There will be two Big Island locations community members can find the big red vending machines to donate to people in need; one will be at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo and the other at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa.

“By bringing the Family Resource Center directly into our communities, we’re able to meet families where they are, offer immediate assistance and build relationships that strengthen the well-being of our keiki and ʻohana.” — Neighborhood Place of Puna Executive Director Paul Normann

Gaseous pillars and a sparkling star cluster, reminiscent of rain in ʻōhiʻa forests, featured in the image from Gemini North telescope atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

Vulcans seeded No. 9 in NCAA Super 4 Regional, will enter NCAA postseason for the first time in program history.