East Hawaii News
The last of three inmates to escape Hale Nani has been returned to custody after seven months
July 28, 2025 · 10:18 PM UTC
Clyde T.T. Loa faces more charges after escaping Hale Nani with two other inmates in a stolen car in December 2024.
Police, fire inspectors investigate arson accusation after a fire damages Puna home
July 28, 2025 · 6:22 PM UTC
No one was occupying a newly remodeled home during a garage fire in ʻĀinaloa on Monday morning.
Strongest Man and Woman contest draws crowd to annual Summer Jam event in Hilo
July 27, 2025 · 3:00 PM UTC
The Big Island Substance Abuse Council blends an array of health and social services with a thrilling athletic competition during the 11th Summer Jam in Hilo.
‘You make us all proud!’: Vulcans student-athletes set new academic benchmark, continuing decade-long upward trend
July 27, 2025 · 5:23 AM UTC
Nearly 230 student-athletes representing all 12 University of Hawai‘i at Hilo sports teams posted a combined record-high grade-point average of 3.32, topping last year’s previous combined record-high grade-point average of 3.28.
Scheduled Hawai‘i Island lane closures on state roadways for July 27 through Aug. 1
July 26, 2025 · 9:48 PM UTC
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Check to see if any of the planned closures will impact your commute during the next week.
US Coast Guard, international partners take on illegal fishers in Western and Central Pacific
July 26, 2025 · 4:35 PM UTC
Annual 3-month Operation Nasse — conducted by United States, Australia, France and New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu — aimed at safeguarding marine resources of Pacific Island nations.
State Land Department ‘deeply saddened’ by ‘loss of life’ at site of felled banyan tree in Hilo
July 26, 2025 · 2:24 AM UTC
Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources says a contractor is scheduled to begin July 29 trimming and removing the massive tree that uprooted and toppled the afternoon of July 12, falling across Kilauea Avenue, a portion of nearby Calvary Chapel Hilo and — it was learned a week later — two women, apparently crushing them underneath. It’s been about 2 weeks since the tree collapsed and almost a week since the bodies of the two women were recovered from under its now tangled and mangled canopy.
‘Creating pathways out of homelessness’: Nonprofits invited to apply for funds to be used for homelessness, housing programs
July 26, 2025 · 12:42 AM UTC
A total of $10.5 million was awarded in 2024-25 to 15 projects by 9 nonprofits working to ensure homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring on Hawaiʻi Island. Deadline to apply this year is 4 p.m. Aug. 29.
Minor coastal flooding still possible through today around Big Island
July 25, 2025 · 6:09 PM UTC
Combination of peaking monthly high tides and elevated water levels have continued to make afternoon high tides exceed height predictions by about a half-foot since Monday, with that trend not expected to change until this weekend.
Volcano Watch: Ancient volcanoes are critical to our modern world
July 25, 2025 · 1:00 PM UTC
‘Critical elements’ such as lithium, nickel, magnesium, platinum, iridium and rare earth elements, among others, have become important for our everyday lives — used in everything from solar panels, batteries and vehicles to power plants, medical devices and smartphones — and more than half of these resources formed in ancient volcanic systems.
Hawai‘i families urged to apply for SUN Bucks food assistance before August deadline
July 25, 2025 · 12:00 AM UTC
The program — a joint effort between Hawai‘i and U.S. Department of Agriculture — is aimed at bridging a gap in nutrition many keiki throughout the islands experience during their summer break from school.
Make an Impact: Hawaiʻi County grant program aimed at driving positive change
July 24, 2025 · 8:00 PM UTC
Nonprofits pursuing projects that strengthen the Big Island’s future are invited to apply for fiscal year 2025-26 Impact Grants program funding.
Wheels on buses should be going round and round on more routes to start new school year
July 24, 2025 · 5:00 PM UTC
While the situation has improved statewide compared with before the 2024-25 school year, 4 of the 9 school bus routes throughout the state still suspended are on the Big Island. Fortunately, offiicials report new drivers are being trained.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for July 25-31: Grand Slam, Experience Volcano, Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea Celebration and Summer Jam, plus more
July 24, 2025 · 3:00 PM UTC
This is a week when each of the top 10 things to do on the Big Island has a vibe — a personality — all its own. A unique signature, if you will, the others don’t necessarily share or emulate. Check them out now to see for yourself!
Father-son duo rows into Hilo Bay complete historic journey across the Pacific
July 22, 2025 · 1:00 PM UTC
Steering their 24-foot rowboat, “The Kraken,” Tim and Harrison Crockett conquered the Pacific Ocean while advocating for veterans through their initiative, Row To Recovery.
Business Monday: Local grower returns to Hilo Orchid Society Show after winning best in show
July 21, 2025 · 3:00 PM UTC
Hilo Orchid Farm blends tradition with innovation at its wholesale nursery that grows about 600 different species of the flowering plants.
UPDATE: Police recover bodies of 2 women from within downed banyan tree in Hilo
July 21, 2025 · 1:12 PM UTC
The women were extricated from deep within the tangled debris of the downed banyan tree, which fell the afternoon of July 12 on Kilauea Avenue, with preliminary observations indicating they were likely struck by falling tree limbs; police do not suspect foul play at this time and autopises will be conducted later this week to determine their exact cause of death.
Man on probation for ATV, trailer thefts last year from Puna shools charged in two new separate incidents
July 20, 2025 · 1:00 PM UTC
28-year-old Ha‘aheo Chan of Mountain View faces charges in connection with two new separate incidents involving alleged vehicle theft and assault.
Tsunami watch issued for Hawai‘i, canceled less than an hour later after large quake off Russian coast
July 20, 2025 · 11:00 AM UTC
The July 19 temblor that caused the tsunami watch excitement struck roughly 45 miles northeast from the epicenter of a 1952 magnitude-9 earthquake that did trigger a destructive Pacific tsunami that caused damage in Hawai‘i, including on the Big Island.
‘Our goal is simple — stop wildfires before they become disasters’
July 19, 2025 · 6:10 PM UTC
Governor signs emergency proclamation, activates Hawai‘i National Guard to respond when needed to help, as wildfire threat expectd to increase heading into hottest months of summer, exacerbating already existing abnormally dry and drought conditions throughout much of the state, including most of the Big Island.