Traffic/Roads

The 51-year-old victim was identified as Stephanie Ann Mello, who was pronounced dead at 6:51 a.m. Aug. 1 at Kona Community Hospital.

The earlier closure July 30 was caused by a traffic crash.

While DUI arrests and major crashes have decreased around the island, fatal crashes and fatalities caused by them each increased so far this year compared with statistics during the same period in 2025.

The change from 55 mph to 45 mph, which begins July 29, will be for the portion of Pūʻainakō from Komohana Street to a half-mile east of Wilder Road.

Closures are planned for weekdays, unless otherwise noted; All projects are weather permitting and lane closure schedules can change with little to no notice.

Hawai‘i County reports about 50 residences near the junction of Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway are covered by the evacuation order; the fire has burned about 500 acres as of about 9 p.m.

The project gets underway July 27 in Hilo, with work by Isemoto Contracting crews scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; completion is expected by the end of 2027.

Hawaiian Electric crews will replace a utility pole the night of July 23-24, resulting in the closure of Māmalahoa Highway, just north of Kūāhewa Road.

During the two-week project, large equipment will be in the area and parking stalls within the work zone will be temporarily unavailable.

Highway 11 near mile marker 22 in the Puna District remains closed after a traffic accident.

Closures are planned for weekdays, unless otherwise noted; All projects are weather permitting and lane closure schedules can change with little to no notice.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit officer and creator of the department’s new ‘Heal Our Highways’ program was honored for his outstanding commitment to impaired driving enforcement and traffic safety education.

The projected completion date for paving and striping is October, and all work is weather-permitting.

Five of the drivers arrested the week of June 29-July 5 were involved in traffic crashes; three of them were younger than 21 years old.

Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 19) at Kāʻawaliʻi Gulch is now open to all traffic.

Remember: Lane closure schedules can change without notice and are weather permitting.

Motorists were previously asked the evening of July 8 to avoid the area after one lane was closed because of a traffic crash.

The project is located between Ohea and Pūʻainakō streets in Hilo and includes installation of concrete sidewalks, drainage improvements, retaining walls, curb ramps, driveway reconstruction and utility adjustment/relocation.

Portion of Bayfront Highway in Hilo, between Pauahi Street and Wailuku Bridge, as well as part of Māmalahoa Highway, from Niu Street to Kaʻalāiki Road, in Nāʻālehu will be closed at different times.

“This Fourth of July, help keep our island roads safe for everyone. Buckle up, drive alert, celebrate responsibly and do your part to ensure everyone makes it home safely,” said Hawaiʻi Police Department in a release.