In Case You Missed It

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.

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.

West Hawaiʻi first responders and keiki are able to learn more about each other as they spend the morning on a shopping spree–which has been a local, Christmastime tradition for the community.

Chondria tumulosa earned the reputation for being a ‘nuisance alga’ because of its mat-forming behavior, ability to spread rapidly and unknown origin, which have posed significant challenges for reef conservation.

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.

Hawaiian Electric crews will be replacing a utility pole, so one lane of Māmalahoa Highway will be closed from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

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.

The Honolulu-based Queen’s Health Systems formally announced on Monday its plans to construct a $450 to $500 million hospital with 80 beds and a helipad on its property at the West Hawai‘i Business Park.

Servco and Big Island Toyota are now working with their teams and each other to onboard employees and ensure a smooth transition. The two firms have been business partners since 1966.

Community members were saddened to learn Sunday that the 2-story building on Māmalahoa Highway — a landmark in Kainaliu — where so many special memories were made is now just a charred shell of its former self after the destruction wroght there by a raging fire.

When crews arrived on scene, flames were visible from the second story and there was heavy smoke, a press release from the fire department indicated.

The facility closed Oct. 14 for planned repairs to the pool pump’s bearings and mechanical seal. However, it was discovered that additional repairs were necessary after the pump was removed and disassembled, necessitating a longer closure.

The fourth annual Catholic Charities Hawai’i event also fosters positive relationships between youth and the officers and other first responders involved. A total of 50 teens and young children from Hilo participated.

These past 12 months have been packed with change on Hawaiʻi Island. From Kimo Alameda defeating incumbent Mayor Mitch Roth in the general election to the removal of the iconic Jaggar Museum at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

The Hawai’i County-owned facility has 300 animals, including 75 birds representing 29 species.

Staff, hospital leadership, legislators and community members attended a groundbreaking celebration for the expansion project, which is estimated to be complete by mid-2026.

Best chance for impacts — which will include flooding of normally dry beaches, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation — will occur especially during the early morning high tides and daybreak from midnight through late Sunday.