Privacy Policy | About Our Ads Hawai’i Island police have identified the male pedestrian who died following a Hilo traffic collision on Thursday in the area of the Waiānuenue Avenue and Rainbow Drive intersection Officers responding to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for a separate incident around 8:23 p.m encountered a traffic collision involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle Officers learned that a 2015 Subaru four-door sedan was traveling west on Waiānuenue Avenue when the vehicle struck Lawrence who was on the roadway and not in a marked crosswalk was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center via ambulance and listed in critical condition He was slated to be transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:49 p.m An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death The driver of the 2015 Subaru four-door sedan was not injured as a result of the collision The East Hawai‘i Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation police believe that speed or alcohol/drugs were not factors in the crash A negligent homicide investigation has been initiated, and if anyone has information regarding this collision, they may contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at 808-961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 This is the 12th traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to 15 traffic fatalities this same time last year By Mia Anzalone Traffic Hawaii island police identified the male pedestrian who died Thursday night following a traffic collision in Hilo as James R Police said in a news release that officers responding to Hilo Benioff Medical Center for a separate incident around 8:23 p.m came upon a traffic collision between a pedestrian and motor vehicle in the area of the Waianuenue Avenue and Rainbow Drive intersection police said that a 2015 Subaru four-door sedan was traveling west on Waianuenue Avenue and struck Lawrence who was on the roadway but not in a marked crosswalk Lawrence was conscious at the scene and an ambulance transported him to Hilo Benioff Medical Center in critical condition He was scheduled to be transported to Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu Officials said an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death A negligent homicide investigation has been initiated but police do not believe that speed or alcohol and drugs were factors in the crash This is Hawaii island’s 12th traffic fatality of 2025 as compared to 15 traffic fatalities this time last year Big Island Video News ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI - It was in April 1946 when a magnitude-8.6 earthquake in Alaska produced a tsunami that claimed 158 lives across Hawaiʻi (BIVN) – From this week’s Volcano Watch article written by HVO geophysicist and seismic network manager Jefferson Chang: April is a month that carries deep layers of meaning on the Island of Hawaiʻi April is the cherished time of the Merrie Monarch Festival—a week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture a time to remember past tragedies and strengthen our kuleana (responsibility) to protect our communities and ʻāina (land) these two observances may seem separate—one the other a somber reminder of natural disasters But in the rhythm of the moʻomeheu (culture) they are connected more deeply than most realize It is no coincidence that Tsunami Awareness Month is in April It commemorates the most devastating tsunami to hit the State of Hawaii The magnitude-8.6 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake in Alaska produced the April Fool’s Day tsunami which claimed 158 lives across Hawaiʻi nei and indelibly reshaped the town of Hilo Damage to Hilo as a result of the tsunami caused by the Aleutian Islands earthquake on April 1 The tsunami arrived in Hilo nearly five hours after the earthquake occurred debris nearly covers a vehicle in the lower left part of the image (source unknown In the heels of recovering from the disaster of 1946 Hilo was struck again by another devastating tsunami on May 23 from the magnitude-9.5 Great Chilean Earthquake carries the stories of loss and resilience The Island of Hawaiʻi was struggling economically in the wake of destructive tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 as well as the declining sugarcane plantations To capitalize on the growing tourism industry the Merrie Monarch Festival was started in 1963 but it wasn’t until 1971 that the festival focus shifted to hula and included a competition the Merrie Monarch Festival is more than a premier hula competition Although it started as a means to boost the economy of the Island of Hawaiʻi it has grown to a cultural celebration that perpetuates and revitalizes the culture of the people of Hawaii dancers become storytellers—conduits of ancestral memory they also tell of the ocean’s power—of tsunami and the lessons woven into moʻolelo (stories) that have been passed down from generation to generation Hula is more than a dance—it is a vessel of knowledge They understood the warning signs of a coming tsunami: the ocean receding These ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledges) live in their chants and dances and many hālau use hula as a way to preserve and pass down this wisdom to honor hula and celebrate Hawaiian culture is an act of healing—a reminder that we are still here But the hazards associated with tsunami remain Coastal communities on the Island of Hawaiʻi have time to prepare for potential tsunamis from distant earthquakes with warnings issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center local earthquakes and large underwater landslides can also result in tsunami which can inundate our shores in minutes or tens of minutes a magnitude-7.7 earthquake beneath the south flank of Kīlauea caused damages both from the earthquake shaking and the subsequent tsunami The tsunami had a maximum height of 20 feet (6 meters) at Halapē in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and it arrived at Punaluʻu less than a minute and a half after the earthquake struck So the next time you watch hula during the Merrie Monarch Festival And some may speak of Kanaloa’s ocean—the waves that give life Let us celebrate Hawaiian culture and remember the ʻāina’s history with humility With the knowledge of past events that have impacted our communities consider what you and your ʻohana can do today to be prepared for similar hazardous events in the future Filed Under: Hilo Tagged With: tsunami Copyright © 2025 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in she was a homemaker and a member of the Mana Christian Ohana Church III of Kohala and Kekoa (Cyrena) Alip of Kailua-Kona; daughters Gaylyn (Wendell) Mattos of Kohala and Grace (Alika) Alapai of Kailua-Kona; sisters Katherine Oberg of Washington and Wendy Medeiros of Kailua-Kona; sisters-in-law Gloria Alip of Waianae and Garilyn Alip of Kapolei; brother-in-law Robert Smith of Ocean View; 26 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren Andres “Andy” Augustine Baclig Jr. of Hilo died April 10 at Life Care Center of Hilo he was a former member of the Hawaii County Band former news and sports editor of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Billie Rose Marie Baclig of Hilo; daughter Andres “Andy Boy” (Debra Rorex) Baclig III of Canyon Lake and Grant (Cybil) Baclig of Kapu‘euhi; sister Archpriest Timothy Lionel Baclig of Woodland Hills Calif.; in-laws; Baby Jane Aganus of Waimea Annette Aiona and James (Carol) Aiona of Hilo Maui; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces of Kapaau died March 29 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center master service technician at Alert Alarm Hawaii and longtime Kohala High School wrestling coach Private services held at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Sherry Kana (Justin) Okuyama and Mai (Casey) Ogawa of Hilo Miho (Ryan) Sobredo of California; parents Zen and Iris Fujii of North Kohala; brothers and Vance (Grace) Fujii of Honokaa; a granddaughter; an aunt died April 2 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center Saturday (May 10) at Wailoa State Recreation Area Crystal Ogata of Hilo and Leann Ogata of Honolulu; sister Denise Leopoldo of Oahu; six grandchildren and four great-granddaughters; cousins Police have identified a pedestrian who died following a Hilo traffic collision on.. Traffic signals in the area of Kekuanaoa Street and Kanoelehua Avenue are functioning properly Original post: A power outage has occurred affecting the traffic signals in the area of Kanoelehua Avenue and Kekuanaoa Street Hawai‘i Island police advise motorists at these impacted intersections to treat them as four-way stops Drivers are urged to drive cautiously as there is no estimated restoration time Hawaiian Electric will be conducting islandwide quarterly aerial inspections of its major overhead transmission lines in order to improve system reliability which will be conducted in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter Noise disturbances may occur due low flying aircraft For further information call (808) 969-6666 Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox Hawai’i Island police have identified the male pedestrian who died following a May 1 Hilo traffic collision as 69-year-old James R Officers responding to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for a separate incident came upon a traffic collision involving a pedestrian and motor vehicle and learned that a 2015 Subaru four-door sedan was traveling west on Waiānuenue Avenue when it struck Lawrence He was slated to be transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on Oʻahu but succumbed to his injuries and pronounced dead The operator of the 2015 Subaru four-door sedan A negligent homicide investigation has been initiated and if anyone has information regarding this collision they may contact Officer Johnathan Rapoza at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Johnathan.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers passed on Friday first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against climate change -fueled natural disasters The bill adds a 0.75% levy to the state’s existing tax on hotel rooms vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations It also imposes a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports both controlled by large majorities of Democrats Experts say this is the nation’s first state lodging tax that raises money for the environment and coping with climate change Hawaii already levies a 10.25% tax on short-term rentals Hawaii’s counties separately charge a 3% lodging tax and travelers also have to pay the 4.712% general excise tax that applies to all virtually all goods and services The cumulative tax bill at checkout will climb to 18.712% Green said people have told him the increase is small enough people won’t notice He observed many people come to Hawaii to enjoy the environment and predicted they will welcome committing dollars to protect shorelines and communities “The more you cultivate good environmental policy and the more you invest in perfecting our lived space the more likely it is we’re going to have actually lifelong committed travelers to Hawaii,” he said in an interview Only funds raised by the 0.75% addition and the new tax on cruise ship stays will go exclusively toward natural resources and climate change Revenue from existing state lodging taxes would continue to flow into state’s general fund and to help pay for the construction of Honolulu’s rail line said he could envision the extra cost prompting some travelers to head elsewhere else like Florida But he said it would depend on how the state shares information about what it does with the money “If you really focus on the point — this is to save the climate and actually have proof that this is where the funds are going and that there’s an actual result that’s happening from that I think people could buy into it,” Edleman said The first draft of the legislation called for a larger increase “We heard the concerns about how do we make sure that we are able to sustain our industry as well as find new resources to address the needs for environmental sustainability,” said Democratic Rep the executive director of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association said there’s broad agreement that the money raised will go to a good cause But he wonders if Hawaii will become too expensive for visitors “Will we be taxing on tourists out of wanting to come here?” he said Lows 64 to 70 near the shore to 48 to 55 at 4000 feet Highs 79 to 84 near the shore to around 68 at 4000 feet Lows 64 to 70 near the shore to 48 to 56 at 4000 feet Tonight: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy Lows around 72 near the shore to 45 to 53 near 5000 feet then mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the afternoon Highs 84 to 89 near the shore to around 68 near 5000 feet Southeast winds up to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon Monday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy Lows around 73 near the shore to 45 to 53 near 5000 feet Lows 63 to 70 near the shore to 53 to 60 near 3000 feet Highs 76 to 82 near the shore to 71 to 79 near 3000 feet East winds up to 20 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph in the afternoon Lows 62 to 70 near the shore to 54 to 60 near 3000 feet Lows around 72 near the shore to around 49 near 5000 feet Northeast winds up to 20 mph increasing to 10 to 20 mph after midnight then partly sunny with isolated showers in the afternoon Highs around 86 near the shore to around 66 near 5000 feet East winds 10 to 20 mph decreasing to up to 20 mph in the afternoon Northeast winds up to 20 mph becoming 10 to 15 mph after midnight Lows around 72 near the shore to 48 to 54 above 4000 feet Monday: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny Highs 82 to 89 near the shore to 65 to 73 above 4000 feet East winds up to 15 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon Tonight: Partly cloudy with isolated showers Lows 62 to 68 near the shore to 48 to 55 at 4000 feet Sunday: Mostly sunny with isolated showers Highs 79 to 84 near the shore to 65 to 70 at 4000 feet Sunday Night: Partly cloudy with scattered showers Lows 62 to 69 near the shore to 49 to 55 at 4000 feet Lows 69 to 74 near the shore to 45 to 51 near 5000 feet Highs around 86 near the shore to around 67 near 5000 feet Lows around 71 near the shore to 45 to 51 near 5000 feet Lows 60 to 69 near the shore to 52 to 60 near 3000 feet Highs around 80 near the shore to 71 to 78 near 3000 feet Lows 61 to 70 near the shore to 52 to 60 near 3000 feet Lows around 72 near the shore to around 50 near 5000 feet Lows 69 to 74 near the shore to 47 to 53 above 4000 feet Highs 82 to 88 near the shore to 63 to 72 above 4000 feet Lows 69 to 75 near the shore to 48 to 54 above 4000 feet Hilo (fka Aktiia) Switzerland-based blood pressure intelligence platform provider raised $42m (over CHF 34m) in Series B funding round which brought the total financing to date above $100m was led by Earlybird Health and Wellington Partners with new investors Kfund and naturalX Health Ventures and participation from existing investors redalpine The company intends to use the funds to accelerate product innovation and build out its blood pressure intelligence platform to support enterprise use cases Hilo provides cuffless blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) products that offer reports to give both individuals and healthcare professionals a useful picture of their blood pressure The model has been trained on optical signals and readings across more than 120,000 users composed of experts with extensive experience in biomedical signal processing has contributed to over 120 peer-reviewed publications and holds more than 35 patents by Syed Hamza Sohail 05/01/2025 Leave a Comment –  Aktiia announces an oversubscribed $42 million Series B funding round co-led by Earlybird Health and Wellington Partners with new investors Kfund and NaturalX Health Ventures which has brought the total financing to date above $100 million will accelerate the company’s mission to manage the world’s blood pressure Hilo Secures Series B Funding to Advance Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring Technology and Global Expansion has announced the close of its Series B funding round marking a significant milestone in its journey to revolutionize blood pressure monitoring This funding will drive product innovation and support the development of its enterprise-focused blood pressure intelligence platform The latest investment builds on a period of rapid progress for the company the company has introduced a new brand identity—Hilo—reflecting its global ambition to make cuffless clinically validated blood pressure monitoring universally accessible and effortless aligning with Hilo’s vision of enabling healthier blood pressure for all while continuing to deliver the trusted technology and clinically relevant reporting for which the company is known Hilo has sold over 120,000 devices and established itself as a leader in the emerging cuffless blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) category Its proprietary foundation machine learning model is specifically trained for blood pressure assessment Hilo CEO Raghav “Rags” Gupta emphasized that the Series B round affirms investor confidence in Hilo’s technology and mission He noted that with billions of people worldwide affected by hypertension—and only 20% achieving adequate control—the need for more accessible and convenient monitoring solutions is urgent represents a broader commitment to global health empowerment through intelligent Get in-depth healthcare technology analysis and commentary delivered straight to your email weekly Latest insightful articles delivered straight to your inbox weekly Submit a Tip or Pitch 2025 EMR Software Pricing Guide Copyright © 2025. HIT Consultant Media. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | The Department of Transportation announced the following Hawaiʻi Island lane closures during the week of May 5 Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile post 53 to 55 Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile post 97.2 to 104.7 in the vicinity of Haleili Road and Filipino Clubhouse Road Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile post 108 to 109 in the vicinity of Government Main Road and Greenwell Park Roving lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile post 117 to 118 Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile post 2.3 to 2.7 Haili Street to Kanoa Street (across Wailuku Bridge) Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile post 5 to 7 in the vicinity of Kahoa Place and Hajime Lane Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile post 10 to 11.5 Single lane closure on Pahoa Kalapana Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile post 19 to 21 Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile post 0 to 1 in the vicinity of Lindsey Road and Lalamilo Farm Road Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile post 12.2 to 16.4 Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile post 9 to 11 Single lane closure on Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) possible in either direction between mile post 9 to 15 for shoulder work and cleaning of culverts Single lane closure on Puainako Street (Route 2000) possible in either direction between mile post 0.5 to 2.2 in the vicinity of Kanoelehua Avenue and Komohana Street for striping and installing raised pavement markers Hawaiʻi Island police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding a vehicle stolen from the 100 block of Wainaku Street in Hilo on Thursday The vehicle is a white 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner with Hawaiʻi license plate ZLL-385 the vehicle had several small toys on the dashboard Anyone with information on the vehicle’s location is asked to call the police department’s nonemergency line at 808-935-3311 or contact Hilo Patrol Officer Daniel Mahi-Murray at Daniel.Murray@hawaiicounty.gov May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi — a celebration of the beautifully hand-sewn garlands of flowers feathers or even words that are an instantly recognizable symbol of Hawaiʻi and its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing and to celebrate the aloha spirit — that intangible essence which is best exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the Native Hawaiians to all people of goodwill,” the late U.S the first Native Hawaiian serve in the chamber congratulations and for a multitude of other reasons In fact, Leiday.org says a child is called a lei because the child is the weaving together of the love of his or her parents and ancestors.” Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace at Waikōloa Beach Resort once again invite the Big Island to celebrate the Hawaiian holiday with them They are hosting the free daylong Waikōloa Lei Day Festival this Saturday featuring cultural performances and hands-on activities plus a marketplace with a variety of local artisans eateries and vendors — all in the spirit of aloha and the two shopping centers are combining efforts for their first Lei Day Scavengers Hunt “Join us at Waikōloa Beach Resort to honor the beauty history and artistry of Hawai‘i’s beloved Lei Day,” said the announcement for the festival expand your universe and explore the cosmos during AstroDay the free family-friendly science celebration hosted by Maunakea Observatories There will be a rocket load of science experiments giveaways and more out-of-this world fun during the day that you’re not going to want to miss Saturday night at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo is all about cultivating community during a screening of Michael Sommer’s documentary “A Dream of the Earth.” The film follows members of the Rainbow Bridge community on the Hāmākua Coast who learn as they embraces the challenges of sustainable farming communal living and ecological stewardship that working the land is about more than just sustenance Rainbow Bridge community members will be in attendance for a panel discussion following the screening Live music and an ecstatic dance set will also be part of the after-movie festivities That’s just small sample of what’s happening around the island during the next week Just because the Merrie Monarch Festival is done doesn’t mean all the fun is Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for May 2-8 now P.S.: We included an extra 11th thing to do this week for our sci-fi geeks and anyone who enjoys space stories from “a long time ago.” Check it out after the “official” top 10 Did you know free park rangers give guided programs nearly every day at the national park Experience “Life on the Edge” at Uēkahuna and other ranger-guided programs by checking the park calendar for dates times and descriptions or drop by the Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp while Kīlauea Visitor Center undergoes renovations More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website or call 808-983-7300 This documentary by Michael Sommer follows the Rainbow Bridge community on Hawai‘i Island’s Hāmākua Coast as it embraces the challenges of sustainable farming communal living and ecological stewardship Members learn that working the land is about more than just sustenance — it’s about cultivating bonds teaching children valuable lessons and creating a sustainable future A panel discussion with Rainbow Bridge community members live music and an ecstatic dance set will follow the movie More info/get tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website Admission to the regular show and sale is $2 The first 300 attendees will get a free plant More info: Click here Don’t miss the last two days of this special event millions of years in the making You still have time to dive into the mysteries of Earth’s history exploring the Jurassic period — 201 to 145 million years ago Embark on a thrilling journey into Earth’s ancient past dinosaurs and dynamic ecosystems that shaped the planet More info/get tickets: Visit the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center website Parker Ranch Roundup Club invites the entire Big Island to this free community event that promises a day full of family fun From 5 thrilling horse events — bareback dollar lead time — to 6 exciting non-horse activities — stick horse barrels boot race and water balloon toss — there will be something for all ages to enjoy More info: Email to p.r.roundup@gmail.com stuck in your own small little world this weekend so get out of the house and blast off to expand your universe with this annual — and free — ʻohana-friendly science celebration hosted by Maunakea Observatories that features hands-on science experiments giveaways and more out-of-this-world activities and STEM-packed fun than you can fit in a space shuttle cargo bay That includes the Robot Rumble and announcement of this year’s Maunakea Coin Contest winners More info: Visit the Maunakea Observatories website Location: Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace family-friendly celebration of Hawai‘i’s rich lei-making traditions presented by Traditions Hawai’i features captivating cultural performances hands-on activities and a vibrant marketplace with a variety of local artisans The Lei Day Lei Contest will also be hosted at Kings’ Shops and there the shopping centers are hosting their first Lei Day Scavenger Hunt More info: Visit the Waikōloa Beach Resort website This Ocean View punk band is celebrating the release of its new album “Life Tips on Dumpster Diving” and is inviting the Big Island to the party The all-ages show has a stacked bill of bands including June Machine and STD playing Kona for the first time and Craiceáilte opening the festivities with some Celtic punk have a free slice of pizza and have a chance to win some K.O.A More info: Visit the K.O.A.’s ReverbNation page or email to koabandhawaii@gmail.com Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra brings this fun-loving show to close out its 2024-25 concert season featuring an eclectic mix from Broadway blockbusters to silverscreen favorites sure to set the Kahilu stage ablaze Enjoy the musical fireworks as some of Hawai‘i Island’s finest musical artists join the Philharmonic for a concert that will delight audiences of all ages More info/get tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website known for his witty humor and charming persona has a knack for turning everyday mishaps into hilarious tales He’s all for spilling the beans about one awkward time he mistook a mannequin for a real person So buckle up and get ready for an evening packed full of laughter during a comedic roller-coaster that might make you snort like your aunty during Thanksgiving More info/get tickets: Click here Hyperjump over to the historic Palace Theater for a speical May the 4th presentation of the final installment of the original “Star Wars” trilogy: “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” Tickets are just $10 and available now Don’t miss this space opera’s final epic battle on Endor as the Rebels make their last stand against the Empire Luke struggles to change his father back to Jedi Anakin Skywalker from Sith Darth Vader without being tempted himself by the evil Emperor Palpatine Pick your side in the fight for the galaxy and get your tickets now More info/get tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10 So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events festivals or workshops that pique your interest By Shannon WianeckiMarch 20 36 Hours Hilo, Hawaii Jump to: Recommendations Itinerary Google Map By Shannon Wianecki Photographs by Michelle Mishina Kunz Shannon Wianecki grew up in Hawaii and writes about the Islands regularly Equally thrilling: During Kilauea’s sporadic eruptions — it’s in a particularly active phase now — you can watch molten lava fill the caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with the Volcano House hotel in the background Wander along the caldera’s rim while listening to the wild songs of the Hawaiian honeycreepers Pomaski a 2022 James Beard nomination — might include whole fried opelu (mackerel) with green olive tapenade ($35) or dumplings stuffed with local ahi and octopus mousseline featuring fresh-pressed Hilo lychee juice ($14) 10 p.m. Visit a speakeasy, Hawaiian style For an adventurous nightcap just around the corner, follow the “Silly Goose” sign down the stairs to the Hidden Nene Hilo’s coolness quotient quietly spiked when Charlene Moe opened this speakeasy in 2023 The Nene’s Victorian-era décor has a distinctly Hawaiian accent: forest green walls a mounted boar’s head and paintings by Charles Furneaux — one of the 19th-century Volcano School artists The menu follows suit with libations such as Shoyu a Good Time — Tenjaku gin garnished with wasabi oil and a flaming skewer of raw tuna ($16) Delectable coconut meringue foam floats atop an alcohol-fueled riff on key lime pie ($16) After snacking on caviar canapes and deviled eggs with smoked ahi yolk ($26) and has been in a particularly active phase since December 8:30 a.m. Breakfast with Paul At Paul’s Place Cafe it’s as if your favorite uncle is cooking brunch just for you Reservations are necessary to snag one of eight seats tucked into the staircase landing at the Pakalana Inn Paul Cubio’s kitchen is tighter than a ship’s galley: a 3-by-4-foot counter equipped with a single burner But the chef’s limitation is his inspiration; Mr Cubio chats with diners as he cooks each dish to order using ingredients collected from neighboring markets The fish sandwich features ripe Kamuela tomatoes crunchy coleslaw and a juicy filet of ono (wahoo) reeled in that morning ($25) curates an impeccable collection of locally made clothing you’ll find a 50s-style ice cream parlor selling paletas ($3) made with local mango and li hing mui (pickled plum) The planetarium on the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus features kid-friendly 5:30 p.m. Time for some Japanese fare The chef Louis Pauole started as a dishwasher at Miyo’s Restaurant and Izakaya Bar before buying the longtime Hilo staple in 2019 He kept the business afloat during the pandemic by opening the adjoining izakaya and serving gorgeous omakase (chef’s choice) dinners to a dozen guests each night His smoked sashimi with ponzo jelly cubes and egg toast topped with salmon roe and cured yolk shavings earned him a fanbase Pauole and his sous chefs prepare thoughtful Japanese fare two ways—bento boxes ($25) in the restaurant and sophisticated small plates ($15 and up) in the izakaya Both benefit from the bar’s large menu of craft cocktails and high-end sake 7 p.m. Catch a show When the Native Hawaiian showman and entrepreneur Adam Baker opened the Palace Theater in 1925 Hilo residents flocked to watch silent films with soundtracks supplied by a mighty pipe organ The opulent theater survived both tsunamis with its exceptional natural acoustics intact Duck under the neon sign to buy tickets for an arthouse film or theatrical performance Check the calendar for local legends such as Brother Noland Paula Fuga or the ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro who often grace the Palace’s stage (tickets start at $10 9:30 p.m. Sample a pitch-perfect cocktail Seats fill up quickly at the Temple an intimate bar with wine and craft beer flowing from the taps The bartender’s pitch-perfect cocktails include a stellar Sazerac ($18) and Through the Looking Glass elderflower liqueur and passionfruit juice topped with a cloudy froth of egg white and lavender buds ($16) Nearly every dish on the tapas menu spotlights local produce — commendable in a state that imports 90 percent of its food The street tacos and flatbreads are satisfying but try the Maui venison tartare ($26) or the kalo (taro root) and cassava — a crispy modern twist on a traditional Hawaiian staple spiced with chimichurri ($14) A sunbather takes advantage of a rare partially sunny morning at Honolii Beach Park where surfers have ridden waves for centuries 9 a.m. Tour a tropical fruit farm Drive a mile north of downtown Hilo to O.K. Farms This large family-owned farm supplies most of Hawaii’s fresh lychee A tour bus winds around macadamia nut and coffee orchards pausing on Spice Road so you can pick fresh clove and nutmeg The farm hugs the Wailuku River and the tour ($65 adult $55 child) includes a unique view of a local landmark: Rainbow Falls You’ll look down at the top of the waterfall from a gazebo while your guide prepares a picnic of tropical fruits Sample fresh cacao and the finished product: chocolate made on site 11:30 a.m. Surf patrol at Honolii Beach Park Unless you’re a veteran surfer, Honolii Beach Park is view-only but with patience you can squeeze into a spot The large lawn beside the lifeguard station is a lovely picnic spot Honolii Stream empties into the ocean here and while the water beneath the bridge appears idyllic For centuries surfers have ridden waves here snap some photos and surrender your parking spot to the next in line 12 p.m. Catch a rainbow Cruise up to Wailuku River State Park to see the colorful arc for which Rainbow Falls is named. As the river thunders over the mouth of a cave, a rainbow forms in its mist. Stop at Hilo Public Library on the way to the park The midcentury building features a lush courtyard but it’s the two sacred and storied stones in front that deserve attention The upright Pinao Stone once marked the entrance to an ancient heiau (temple) The celebrated Naha Stone predicted the rise of Kamehameha the Great in the 18th century whoever could lift this colossal slab — nearly 7,000 pounds — would gain the power to conquer Hawaii Kamehameha reportedly heaved up the stone before waging war to unify the Islands under one rule An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of a Hawaiian ukulele player the blood pressure monitoring company says it will focus on product innovation and expanding into new markets has raised $42m (SFr34.7m) in an oversubscribed Series B funding round bringing its total funding to more than $100m The Swiss 24/7 blood pressure monitoring system developer’s latest funding round was co-led by Earlybird Health and joined by new investors Kfund and naturalX Health Ventures Existing investors including Molten Ventures and Translink Capital also took part The blood pressure monitoring bracelet uses optical sensors and AI-based algorithms to measure blood pressure through Optical Blood Pressure Monitoring (OBPM) a process that involves analysing subtle changes in the diameter of arteries with each heartbeat which Hilo said would support ongoing product innovation and expansion into new markets Hilo’s blood pressure monitoring bracelet launched in Canada last year, with the approval from Health Canada marking Hilo’s first market expansion outside of Europe since receiving a CE mark on the bracelet in 2021. Regulatory approvals on the bracelet have also recently been secured in Australia and Saudi Arabia Also in 2024, the company gained CE marking for its optical blood pressure measuring technology without the need for calibration from a traditional cuff, opening the door for the integration of its technology into commercial smartwatches and phones Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis Hilo recently also completed a pivotal clinical trial validating its OBPM approach to blood pressure monitoring which it stated would support a future application with the US Food and Drug Administration Hilo CEO Raghav Gupta called the latest fund raise a testament to the confidence its investors have in its technology and its aims to manage users’ blood pressure via “more frequent “With billions worldwide suffering from hypertension only 20% of whom are in control of their blood pressure accessible blood pressure monitoring solutions has never been greater.” Gupta said that Hilo represents more than just a name change “It’s a commitment to empowering users around the world with smarter tools to optimise their health.” Earlybird Health principal Christoph Massner said: “Hilo stands at the intersection of medical-grade precision and consumer-centric accessibility By building on a validated medical device platform and an intuitive they bridge the gap between clinical reliability and everyday usability.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network Enter below + watch your fave nurse creators for extra chances By entering this sweepstakes, you agree to receive emails from Nurse.org. No purchase necessary. Alternate entry method and official rules. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time using the “unsubscribe” link provided in every email, in accordance with Nurse.org privacy policy A University of Hawai‘i at Hilo nursing graduate and practicing public health nurse has been crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2025 one of the most prestigious honors in Hawaiian dance earned the coveted title during the 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on April 24 Representing Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leina‘ala Pavao stood out among 13 soloists competing on hula’s most revered stage “Every day I wake up as a registered nurse and I serve the public through public health nursing through the Department of Health,” said Pavao “We do all kinds of things for the elderly Pavao earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from UH Hilo, and continues to serve her community through the Hawai‘i State Department of Health Her dual roles—healthcare provider and cultural ambassador—highlight the many ways nurses show leadership beyond clinical settings Her hula ‘auana performance paid tribute to Queen Kapi‘olani a poetic comparison of the beloved royal to a cherished flower A post shared by Honolulu Star-Advertiser (@staradvertiser) In addition to the main title, Pavao received the Hawaiian Language Award scoring a perfect 50 points in ʻōlelo Hawai‘i Keao NeSmith for supporting her chant creation and pronunciation during years of training This award recognizes a dancer’s fluency and precision in the Hawaiian language—a vital part of hula's storytelling tradition Pavao’s hula kahiko featured a hula pahu (drum dance) set to He Wahi Mele No Kapualeilaha‘oleinapali accompanied by four drummers including her kumu hula—and aunt—Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin “She’s been dancing since she entered this Earth,” said Jardin edging ahead of runner-up Tiare-Jennings Vaughan-Darval of O‘ahu’s Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine by 17 points All other runners-up also hailed from O‘ahu Pavao’s performance was enhanced by fresh adornments of Pāʻū o Hi‘iaka cultural pageantry of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo Pavao carries both royal lineage and professional dedication proudly identifying as a descendant of Queen Kapi‘olani while continuing her public health work Her story resonates not just as a cultural win but as a reminder of the diverse paths nurses take to uplift their communities—in hospitals go back and thank God,” she said after her win If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today! MassDevice The Medical Device Business Journal — Medical Device News & Articles | MassDevice May 2, 2025 By Sean Whooley Earlybird Health and Wellington Partners co-led the funding round with new investors Kfund and naturalX Health Ventures joining Translink Capital and Verve Ventures participated The investment — which brings the company’s total financing to more than $100 million to date — could help accelerate its blood pressure management technology The company earmarked the latest funding round to fuel continued product innovation It also plans to use funds to expand into new markets and build out its blood pressure intelligence platform to support enterprise use cases “This funding round is a testament to the confidence our investors have in Hilo’s groundbreaking technology and our mission to manage the world’s blood pressure via more frequent convenient and accurate measurements,” said Raghav “Rags” Gupta “With billions worldwide suffering from hypertension accessible blood pressure monitoring solutions has never been greater.” integrates AI algorithms with extensive datasets to deliver cuffless blood pressure monitoring (CBPM) products that use optical sensors to gather photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals from the arteries in the wrist The company built its foundational model for blood pressure on billions of optical signals and hundreds of millions of readings The system requires comparison with an electronic upper arm cuff (provided with the product) for monthly accuracy calibration The company has its headquarters in Switzerland and continues to expand its global presence It says it wants to transform how blood pressure is understood and managed the company says it aims to reflect its global ambition to make cuffless It says transitioning to Hilo marks an important milestone in its journey as it continues to deliver its trusted blood pressure monitoring technology Hilo has already sold more than 120,000 devices according to a news release and considers itself a leader in the emerging CBPM category Our rebrand to Hilo represents more than just a name change it’s a commitment to empowering users around the world with smarter tools to optimise their health We are grateful to early Aktiia customers for their support and to our investors Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media Privacy Policy Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative We're working on a visual shortcode editor until then please follow these instructions Email us to support@plugin.builders for any problems Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating two runaways who were last seen around the 1700 block on Kino‘ole Street in Hilo at 8:25 p.m is described as having a small build and fair complexion is described as local with a dark complexion and small build with brown eyes and shoulder-length brown and red hair Police ask anyone with information on either teen’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here April 29 update at 7:23 p.m.: Brieslee Bello was found safe in Hilo Original post: Hawai‘i Island police seek public help finding a 13-year-old girl who was reported as a runaway Brieslee Bello was last seen on April 28 in Hilo around the 1700 block of Kino‘ole Street at 8:25 p.m She is considered endangered because of her age Brieslee was last seen wearing black surf shorts and a Hilo Intermediate School shirt She is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds Anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 From left: Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Lisa M Devens listen as Hawaiʻi County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Frederick M Macapinlac presents his arguments during Courts in the Community at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center HI – The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court convened today at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Performing Arts Center to hear oral argument in State of Hawaiʻi v Charles Zuffante as part of the Judiciary’s Courts in the Community program More than 250 students from five East Hawaiʻi high schools attended the session which aims to enhance civic education and promote greater public understanding of the judicial system The participating schools included Hilo High School Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School and Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School Students had the opportunity to observe real court proceedings and engage in a Q&A session with the justices following the argument “We are proud to bring the judicial process directly to students through Courts in the Community,” said Chief Justice Mark E “It’s important that young people understand the role of the courts in our democracy and the values that underlie our system of justice.” Chief Justice Recktenwald also emphasized the importance of ensuring that neighbor island communities are included in this initiative “This is the fifth time we have heard oral arguments on Hawaiʻi Island We have also heard oral arguments on Maui and Kauaʻi Providing students across the state with access to the Supreme Court is a vital part of our commitment to public education and transparency,” he said The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court launched the Courts in the Community program in 2012 nearly 7,000 students across the state have participated involves legal issues arising from a traffic stop in Kona The case raises questions regarding the voluntariness of the defendant’s statements to police and the effectiveness of his legal counsel during trial volunteer attorneys from the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association and local legal community visited participating classrooms to help students understand the appellate process and the legal issues involved in the case The Judiciary extends its sincere appreciation to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo for hosting the event and to the educators and volunteers who helped make this experience possible for the students of East Hawaiʻi For more information about the Courts in the Community program, visit https://www.courts.state.hi.us For more information, contact the Communications and Community Relations Office at 808-539-4909 or via email at pao@courts.hawaii.gov Subscribe to the Hawai'i State Judiciary mailing list for email notification of press releases and other announcements eCourt Kokua: For access to Traffic cases; District Court and Family Court civil; Land Court and Tax Appeal Court; and appellate court case information Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use  |  Accessibility Information  *The Hawaii Judiciary is not affiliated with Sustain Technologies which is a registered trademark of Sustain Technologies Powered by Tyler Hawaii A historic building in Hilo is on the chopping block by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency which could result in the closure of the Downtown Hilo post office Pacific Business Journal reports the General Services Administration published a list Tuesday on its website of more than 440 non-core federal properties it could close or sell The list includes the historice Federal Building located at at 154 Waiānuenue Ave “We are identifying buildings and facilities that are not core to government operations for disposal,” said the [General Services Administration] on its website “Selling ensures that taxpayer dollars are no longer spent on vacant or underutilized federal spaces.” The agency says disposing of the assets will help eliminate costly maintenance and allows the government to reinvest in high-quality work environments that support agency missions Hundreds of buildings throughout the nation as well as on Guam and Puerto Rico are among those listed as non-core properties The list even includes such iconic Washington Kennedy Department of Justice Building; and the Old Post Office building that once was a Trump hotel The Hilo Federal Building was designed by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s brother-in-law architect Henry Whitfield in the Mediterranean Renaissance Revival style It was one of the first buildings in Hawai‘i constructed with reinforced concrete the complex originally served as a courthouse Other tenants included the Immigration Bureau Weather Bureau and Internal Revenue Service The building now serves only as a post office and Hawai‘i Island’s first passenger elevator was installed there in 1950 It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 The General Services Administration’s list of non-core properties is part of President Donald Trump’s effort to slash government spending Musk’s DOGE website listed three additional office leases in Hilo separately targeted for cancellation No other information about those locations was published Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox Native Hawaiian homesteaders nearby say they are already bearing the brunt of Hilo’s garbage The commission that oversees Hawaiian homelands granted preliminary approval to a new power plant in Hilo that could one day generate up to a third of the electricity required to power the Big Island The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will get at least $40,000 a year in revenue from the biofuel project and the developer is required to return community benefits to the Native Hawaiian homesteaders who live in the surrounding community homesteaders told the Hawaiian Homes Commission that they are already bearing the brunt of industrial services in Hilo Their homes are close to the city’s waste transfer station and sewage treatment plant everything,” Panaʻewa resident Jade Makua said The Alahao renewable energy project, proposed for a 12-acre plot in Panaʻewa near Railroad Avenue, would burn diesel produced from plant oils. Hawaiʻi Land & Power, the project developer, said it would cost $250 million with funding from Lotus Infrastructure Hawaiʻi Land & Power is pursuing a power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric Co. to eventually produce up to 60 megawatts of power, about a third of the 180 megawatts of electricity the Big Island requires daily Related story: This Plant Can Power Grids, Planes, Poultry And Cattle. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold The commission’s vote gives the developers access to the property to begin preliminary site work and conduct environmental studies responsible for addressing a waitlist of 29,000 Native Hawaiian applicants waiting for homes Construction is anticipated to begin in 2029 The final rent amount would be negotiated later when Hawaiʻi Land & Power enters a long-term lease Energy produced by the project would be transmitted to HECO’s facility just across the street The project will eventually need to win approval from the state’s utility regulators Environmental concerns were top of mind for residents at hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday president of the Panaʻewa Farmers Association said she worried the new plant would be just two blocks away from a planned community center where the association already hosts workshops and has plans for agricultural projects Luuwai wanted assurances that the project would conduct thorough environmental studies to determine the impact of emissions from the plant on surrounding communities said that the biofuel-burning plant was safe but acknowledged that even he had concerns with plans for an on-site battery storage facility He referred to fires at a battery storage facility in Moss Landing, California that led to mass evacuations Water is ineffective against lithium-ion fires which could “burn until it burns itself out,” Giovanni said “That is a potential hazard that has to be seriously addressed,” he said HECO requires the project to provide between $90,000 and $180,000 worth of community benefits each year the facility operates according to Hawaii Land & Power owner David Berryhill Homesteaders in the surrounding communities told the commission they wanted assurances that the company would follow through on its promises to deliver benefits Homesteader John McBride said earlier projects including the sewer plant and the airport serving Hilo “We never benefit from none of the adverse conditions around us suggested negotiating with HECO to reduce monthly electric bills for nearby homesteaders by 30% in lieu of a cash benefit Before voting unanimously to approve the initial permit for the project members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission urged project leaders to spend the next three years learning from the homestead community A strong community benefits package could also help the project when it negotiates a power-sharing agreement with HECO “This is a gamble on your part,” he said “You folks are spending all this money Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Blaze Lovell is a reporter for Civil Beat. Born and raised on Oʻahu, Lovell is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. You can reach him at blovell@civilbeat.org. Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter March 12: Hawai‘i County Civil Defense reports that Hawai‘i Department of Transportation State Highways Division says both lanes are again open on Wailuku Bridge The makai lane of the bridge was closed and Hilo-bound traffic detoured since the afternoon of March 11 after emergency repairs were needed following an inspection earlier this week.  Repairs were completed and both lanes were reopened at about 7:30 p.m March 12: Motorists are advised that Hilo-bound traffic on Highway 19 at Wāiluku Bridge in Hilo will be detoured through the Hawai‘i County roadways of Hau and Wāinaku streets until further notice Hawai‘i Department of Transportation crews are performing emergency repairs on the bridge that spans the Wāiluku River delta where it flows into Hilo Bay between Waiānuenue Avenue and Pukihae Street Repairs became necessary following a bridge inspection March 12 Honoka‘a-bound traffic is allowed to cross the bridge using the mauka The Hilo-bound detour will remain in place and no oversized or overweight vehicle permits will be issued for the bridge until repairs are completed State Transportation officials expect the emergency repairs to be finished later this week but the time frame could be extended if additional repairs are needed during the course of the work Repairs were last made to Wailuku Bridge in September 2019 The state plans to begin a full rehabilitation of the bridge in 2027 An official website of the United States government Latest Earthquakes What is the collective noun for a group of volcano scientists While some tongue-in-cheek responses might be “an eruption of volcanologists” or “a swarm of seismologists,” we’ll stick to “an assembly of volcano scientists.”  Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates Today’s article is by HVO geologist Kendra J volcano scientists from around the world are gathering in Hilo united by the common goal of understanding caldera-forming eruptions at basaltic volcanoes.  The occasion for the assembly is the American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference on Caldera-forming Eruptions at Basaltic Volcanoes: Insights and Puzzles from Kīlauea 2018 and Beyond The meeting is directly aligned with the U.S Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program mission—“to enhance public safety and minimize social and economic disruption from volcanic unrest and eruption.” represent an underappreciated hazard for many global communities but also a chance to better understand some of Earth’s most active volcanoes A handful of these eruptions have been documented globally in the last half-century Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption was its most impactful in centuries and it involved more than one cubic kilometer of basaltic lava flows Observations from Kīlauea and similar eruptions around the globe offer an unprecedented opportunity to understand calderas and associated rift systems and the dynamics of their interplay but a community-driven synthesis has been lacking and numerous fundamental scientific questions remain The experts who will gather on the Island of Hawaiʻi will assess current understanding and map out work on critical outstanding issues Resulting insights should prove valuable when the next large basaltic caldera collapse takes place somewhere on Earth This conference will bring together an interdisciplinary assembly of volcano scientists to contrast observations from historic global caldera-rift eruptions establish the state-of-the-art understanding We will address the causes of these eruptions the dynamics of basaltic caldera collapses the interaction between summit calderas and rift zones the geometry and physical properties of magma storage and the challenges in forecasting associated hazards.  A significant investment in research and monitoring of Hawaii’s volcanoes was made through the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (H.R which provided Supplemental funding to USGS for recovery and rebuilding activities in the wake of the 2018 Kīlauea eruption Results from recent large-scale science experiments at Kīlauea supported by this funding will be shared and discussed at the Chapman Field trips will give participants an opportunity to visit important sites on the volcano teams will be formed to discuss science questions in detail and establish priorities for additional work following the meeting Geological Survey and academic volcano researchers bringing over 150 scientists together for presentations Participants represent 15 countries outside the United States and will include presentations about volcanoes around the world Roughly 25% of presenters are undergraduate or graduate students representing a new generation of volcano scientists tackling our field’s biggest challenges We are very excited that several University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and Mānoa students will be presenting their research at the meeting partners from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense the Hawaiian Volcano Education & Resilience Institute and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center will participate.  During the week of the conference, winning art and haiku submissions from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Volcano Awareness Month competition will be on display a public After Dark in the Park presentation by Icleandic Meteorological Office scientist Gro Pederson will summarize the ongoing volcanic crisis on Reykjanes Peninsula Southwest Iceland on February 6 in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and her presentation will highlight parallels between Hawaiian and Icelandic volcanoes and their hazards to our communities.  We look forward to a productive week learning from our colleagues and partners E komo mai to the assembly of volcanologists that is soon to arrive The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week Episode 8 was active from the evening of February 3 until the evening of February 4 Kīlauea summit has been inflating since episode 8 ended Resumption of eruptive activity is possible between February 8-11 if summit inflation continues at current rate Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.  No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov These items are in the RSS feed format (Really Simple Syndication) based on categories such as topics You can install and RSS reader browser extension or use a third-party service to receive immediate news updates depending on the feed that you have added they may look strange because they are simply XML code An RSS reader can easily read this code and push out a notification to you when something new is posted to our site Hawaiian Volcano Observatory News Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities News A Hilo eatery was closed Friday after an inspector with the Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch determined it was an imminent health hazard to the public because of multiple repeated food safety violations Hiro’s Place was issued a red “closed” placard and shut down immediately after demonstrating an inablility to maintain proper food safety procedures located in Suite 108 of the KTA Center at 50 East Pūʻainakō St. will remain closed until all deficiencies and corrective actions are addressed The health department inspector during inspections March 24 and 27 at Hiro’s Place observed and corrected the following violations: The same violations were again observed Friday by the inspector — for a third time in the same week — and the establishment was shuttered Several corrective actions are required by the state Health Department before Hiro’s Place can reopen: Hiro’s Place also must schedule an inspection with the state Health Department before being cleared to again serve food Visit the Food Safety Branch website for additional information about the placard program Thousands of people gathered in downtown Hilo on Saturday morning for the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade The cherished tradition celebrates Hawaiian culture the art of hula and the rich heritage of Hilo town The parade is the last public event before the final night of competition the group hula ‘auana (modern dance) and the awards ceremony for all group winners Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following lane closures and road work projects for state roadways on the Big Island during the week of May 3 through May 9 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 53 and 55 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 60 and 62 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 97.2 and 104.7 in the vicinity of Haleili Road and Filipino Clubhouse Road from 8:30 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 108 and 109 in the vicinity of Government Main Road and Koa Road SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 117 and 118 ROVING LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 117 and 118 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 4 and 5 in the vicinity of Haili Street and Kanoa Street SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 5 and 7 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 10 and 11.5 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 1 and 2.5 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 19 and 21 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 0 and 1 in the vicinity of Lindsey Road and Lālāmilo Farm Road SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 12.2 and 16.4 from 8:30 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 5 and 6 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 9 and 16 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 9 and 11 from 8 a.m SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 8 and 15 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 9 and 15 SINGLE LANE CLOSURE possible in either direction between mileposts 0.5 and 2.2 Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice A map of lane closures can be found online As the kava tender serves the kava concoction in a shell everyone in the new bar in the heart of Hilo will then say ‘Ola!’ before drinking together ‘bula,’ is traditionally used to cheer with kava but the new family-owned Kava Republic is using the ʻōlelo Hawai’i word ola for its Hawaiian-grown kava The father-daughter duo Laurent and Yaelle Olivier recently opened Kava Republic at 301 Keawe Street they will host a grand opening to showcase the place that provides a sorely-missed piece of Polynesian heritage and a space for community connection and relaxation Many customers already have shown their support for the new business which is filling a void that has been felt since the closure in 2020 of Hilo’s last such bar a French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific said he saw a need for a kava bar when he first moved to the United States in 2000 like everyone was always moving or stressed,” he said “I realized they just needed to drink some kava Laurent Olivier used “his roots” and opened one of the first kava bars on the mainland in 2002 in Boca Raton The 60-year old said it was difficult to start his first bar because in the beginning no one wanted to try kava a drug made from the ground roots of the plant found in the South Pacific that is taken as a drink Food and Drug Administration],” Laurent Olivier said “Every news outlet was at our kava bar since we were the only one.” the federal government issued a consumer advisory warning about the potential for liver damage from kava-containing dietary supplements the publicity actually helped Laurent Olivier receive a boost of curious customers now interested in trying kava Laurent Olivier opened his second kava bar After raising two daughters and living on the mainland since emigrating from New Caledonia he knew in 2017 that it was time to return to an island I was ready to come back to somewhere familiar and to grow kava somewhere I knew it could thrive,” Laurent Olivier said “I started to grow the Hawaiian ʻawa myself Kava was a canoe crop for Hawaiʻi’s earliest Polynesian settlers voyaging alongside kalo ʻulu (bread fruit) and sweet potatoes among other key crops The root was prominent in Kanaka Maoli culture and used in social medical and religious and ceremonial settings It had virtually disappeared from everyday life by the mid-1900s with only isolated communities keeping the tradition and culture alive until its revival during the Native Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s Kava as a drink is derived from the roots and the bottom portion of the plant stem Those who consume the drink know it works when the mouth or tongue begin to feel a little numb and the body relaxes but the mind remains stimulated for the day ahead Laurent Olivier is now one of the biggest ʻawa farmers in Hawai’i the only place where kava is grown in the North Pacific When he found an opportunity to occupy a vacant space in downtown Hilo Laurent called his 27-year old daughter and asked her to quit her engineering job in Florida and move to Hawai’i to start Kava Republic together “He always told me to go to school for a good degree in case the FDA takes away kava December 31 is my last day and I’m on a plane on January 4 this year,” Yaelle Olivier said but this is the first time my dad and I have gone into business together and we’ve been able to get this place put together in only 2 months.” Yaelle Olivier has helped Laurent create a menu of different types of kava kombucha and other non alcoholic drink options They also hired a staff of six people and have created an authentic kava experience with a space where people can chill or chat with old and new friends “Kava helps you relax and feel mellow but it is also more than that,” Yaelle Olivier said “It’s the atmosphere and we hope people come in with curiosity to learn about the history and culture behind kava.” Laurent Olivier said it is important for people to have a community space to just sit and relax after a long day full of stress “There aren’t many places that can offer that without alcohol,” he said but more than that I want customers to feel that we’re serving them happiness in a place where they feel safe and can be themselves.” The duo has been planning weekly events to host at Kava Republic and has held a pop-up open mic night to see if people were interested in that type of event because people tend to want to sing more when they are more relaxed,” Yaelle Olivier said and anything that gives people a place to mellow out after a long day,” she added “We also have a quiet corner with plenty of outlets The idea is that you come in to stay for a bit with no rush to leave.” Kava Republic will be opening from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day in Hilo beginning on Friday. Follow the kava bar’s Facebook or Instagram pages to stay up-to-date on the new business “We’ve poured our hearts into creating a space that honors the tradition of kava and provides a welcoming environment for the community,” Yaelle Olivier said “We’re thrilled to share our carefully crafted kava and the culture it represents with Hilo.” Hawai‘i Island police have identified the victim of the violent early morning stabbing in Hilo on March 29 as 81-year-old Lola Linda Loebl 30-year-old Keoni Peter Tosie Brown was charged with the following offenses: Brown’s bail was maintained at $2,020,000 and a preliminary hearing is set for South Hilo District Court on April 2 An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on Friday Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Duane Rapoza Jr., of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2383, or via email at Duane.Rapoza@hawaiicounty.gov Original: A Hilo District Court judge maintained bail for a man accused of fatally stabbing an elderly woman in the face over the weekend Keoni Brown appeared before Judge Jeffrey Hawk on Monday on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree terroristic threatening Hawk maintained the 30-year-old’s bail at $2.02 million and was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 2 According to a probable cause statement filed with the court Monday, Brown was identified by a witness in a photo lineup as the individual responsible for stabbing the elderly woman at her home on the 200 block of ‘Olu Street in Hilo on Saturday the witness said her elderly neighbor’s dog ran toward her who she also believed lives on ‘Olu Street the witness said the victim was raising her arms in an attempt to defend herself She then witnessed Brown wrap his free arm around the victim and stabbed her in the mouth Court documents indicate that Brown held the victim until she collapsed to the ground he ran toward the elderly woman’s garage the witness told authorities she went to the victim’s residence where she encountered Brown who standing on the roadway in front of the victim’s residence reportedly made stabbing motions toward the witness they found the victim lifeless lying face up in her driveway with stab wounds to her face and mouth police located Brown on the south side of another nearby residence when the witness stated: “That’s him Police secured search warrants later that day and searched the residence where Brown was apprehended including a shipping container where Brown lives and found the clothing he reportedly wore during the stabbing A large knife with a silver blade and black handle was also found submerged in water within a black plastic container Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More A Hilo resident discovered a highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake after it washed ashore at Honolii Beach The Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch office in Hilo received a call from the Department of Land and Natural Resources who said the Hilo resident had pinned the snake under a log By the time PQB inspectors arrived at Honolii Beach lifeguards had contained the 3-foot-long snake in a 5-gallon bucket While it is rare for sea snakes to be found onshore in Hawaii the sea snakes may wash ashore when there are strong winds or currents HDOA warned people against touching the creatures if they are discovered but the state agency said they are distinguishable because of their bright yellow markings on their underside.  “We want to take this opportunity to inform the public to be wary of any snake-like reptile in or near the ocean,” said Sharon Hurd chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture “This type of sea snake can be more venomous than a cobra and potentially lethal to humans.” criss-crossing the ocean by riding currents where they can stay submerged for up to 90 minutes The animal’s venom is injected via fangs and used to paralyze prey quickly so that they cannot escape The venom is a potent toxin that blocks the transmission of messages from nerves to muscles the most common victims are fishers who may come into contact with them when they attempt to remove them from fishing nets Less severe cases result in the breakdown of muscle tissue and kidney damage but victims will recover if they receive effective antivenom There have been no reports of bites from yellow-bellied sea snakes in Hawaii State law prohibits importing or possessing the pelagic species in Hawaii.  contact the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378) Hawaii Police Press Conference On Hilo Officer Shooting (March 14 Hawaiʻi - The search for the attempted murder suspects 39-year-old Christopher Lucrisia and 23-year-old Silas Zion UPDATE – (7:40 p.m.) – Police report Silas Zion one of the two suspects wanted for attempted murder in the shooting of a police officer in Hilo on Friday Police say the manhunt for the second suspect the Hawaiʻi Police Department released a timeline detailing the events the led up to the shooting of a police officer in Hilo and the island-wide manhunt for the two suspects involved in the incident The police noted that the officer who was shot “has since been flown to a trauma center on O‘ahu where he remains in serious but stable condition.” He was not identified by name but is said is a 9-year veteran assigned to the East Hawaii Vice Unit 39-year-old Christopher Lucrisia arrived at a Hilohilo Street residence in Mountain View a 39-year-old Mountain View woman.After a brief argument in the driveway area Lucrisia took out a handgun and fired at least one round into the ground Police believe shrapnel from that round struck the 39-year-old woman causing superficial wounds to her legs and feet Lucrisia fled the area in a primer-black Nissan Xterra Lucrisia is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition Police were called and initiated reckless endangering and firearms charges against Lucrisia Lucrisia returned to the same Hilohilo Street address and entered the home without permission Lucrisia threatened a bedridden 75-year-old woman with a firearm and stole a bag from her bed before threatening again to kill his ex-girlfriend Police responded and initiated robbery and additional firearms cases against Lucrisia Investigators with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section obtained Parras warrants to arrest Lucrisia for the pending charges Hawaii Police Department investigators began checking the Puainako area near Kanoelehua Avenue based on information that Lucrisia was in the area HPD Vice and Crime Reduction Unit personnel spotted Lucrisia in the front passenger seat of a white Chevy pick-up truck bearing Hawaii license plate ZLD-014 The Chevy pick-up truck was seen parking in the lot fronting a financial institution near the Prince Kūhiō Plaza Officers wearing “POLICE” labeled equipment approached the Chevy pick-up truck on foot and demanded to turn the vehicle off and not move One round struck an officer in the right forearm and a second round struck the same officer in the head shooting at least three rounds at Lucrisia It is unknown if the gunfire struck Lucrisia or the truck’s driver The white Chevy pick-up immediately fled the scene driving towards Kanoelehua Avenue The driver was later identified as the truck’s registered owner Police are actively searching island-wide for both Lucrisia and Zion who are wanted for attempted murder in the first degree They should be considered armed and extremely dangerous The public is being asked to report any sightings of Lucrisia and to immediately call police by dialing 9-1-1 Filed Under: Hilo Tagged With: Christopher Lucrisia, Silas Zion After closing a brick and mortar restaurant in Pāhoa in 2018 Le Schumaker found that a food truck might be a better option for serving her favorite dishes she learned from her mom.  Schumaker opened the Le Yellow Sub food truck the next year and began serving authentic Vietnamese street food with a local twist while parked outside her son’s house.  But when she was told to move elsewhere due to parking issues her son Aaron Watkins helped her look for a safe place to park the food truck and found a lot at 213 Kalanianaʻole Street Located on the Hilo side of the harbor in front of Kuhio Kalanianʻole Park the lot also seemed like the perfect place for more than one food truck.  Thus was born the first food truck park in Hilo local fusion sandwiches and organic food grown on the Big Island are all thriving together every island has some sort of food truck lot for people to walk through and I wanted to bring that to Hilo,” Watkins said Guy Fieri gave me the idea when he did the segment on my mom and Le Yellow Sub.” Le Yellow Sub was featured on the Food Network Show Drive-Inns and Dives,” which stars the celebrity chef He tasted the chicken lemongrass banh mi and the spring rolls and was impressed by the authenticity of Schumaker’s cooking I told him I learned from my mother and grandmother in Vietnam but now I take tradition and twist with my style,” Schumaker said “The food truck allows more creativity and I can use produce grown in Hawaiʻi as a substitute for more traditional ingredients.” When the show segment brought droves of people to Le Yellow Sub Watkins knew he had to make a food truck lot a reality so he started by purchasing his own and developing Hilo Ice Coffee.  While learning the business of coffee for himself Watkins was also making the food truck lot more appealing for other businesses and visiting other food trucks to see if they were interested in a more permanent location “I really wanted to bring diverse food trucks to this space for the community and it took longer than expected but it was exciting to see the vision come to fruition,” Watkins said “I think many owners are tired of moving constantly and being able to park somewhere semi-permanently can take away a lot of stress.” Island Organic Cuisine and a bike rental shop now occupy the lot Steven Modeer owns A & K Fratellis and personally serves customers his freshly made pizza by the slice or as whole pies every day He was the first to join Schumaker and Watkins in the food truck park where there is more competition but also more traffic “It’s been great having more people here because more people passing by notice us and will be likely to come by,” Modeer said “I also enjoy that there is mutual respect and understanding that we won’t step on each other’s toes Duck Fat would not decide to start making flatbread without at least communicating and the same goes for all of us.” While they don’t share menu items with fellow food truck chefs they do help each other and will share food and ingredients.   “I ran out of basil the other day and Le just gave me a bundle of basil from her garden unprompted,” Modeer said “Everyone is welcoming to each other and it is nice to see people put in the work to make a living every day.”  After spending almost two years serving consistently good food at inconsistent locations Duck Fat food truck finally found a home in March at the food truck park.  Duck Fat had been moving between the parking lots of Ben Franklin Autozone and the Kai Store on weekdays with fluctuating hours depending on where they were parked “I really like this location a lot more,” head chef Kawai Saniatan said “We’re saving two hours a day by not having to detach and attach to a truck every day It’s funny because we werenʻt interested at first We are able to stay open longer at this location and now we’re getting more regulars and after school traffic as well.” Duck Fat also has found camaraderie with the fellow food truck owners on the lot and have enjoyed being able to form a little community of people who love to cook good food “It has been great meeting all these people that we share this lot with,” Saniatan said “It has kind of become a family unit rather than five food trucks in a row Watkins said the small businesses understand each other because “we’re all just doing what we can to survive and hopefully grow Food trucks are so much more accessible for a small business and I don’t see them going away anytime soon While tickets sell out fast to the three competition nights of the Merrie Monarch Festival local hālau provide an opportunity for the public to experience and appreciate hula during daily daytime — and free — performances at hotels host performances during lunchtime featuring Hawaiʻi Island hālau from Monday to Friday the hālau have the chance to showcase what they’re learning and the collective knowledge they have gained,” kumu hula Meleana Manuel said “The daytime performances serve as an opening to each day of the festival The participating hālau have become an integral part of the Merrie Monarch Festival especially when it comes to integrating visitors and residents for a couple hours of Hawaiian cultural appreciation “All of these performances are a true display of hula that involve everyone at every age and every gender,” Manuel said “Hula is our way of telling the stories of who we are historically and culturally.” These performances give hālau the chance to show visitors what hula truly is “Hula brings us to an essential place within ourselves as Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) and goes beyond just making a statement,” Manuel said “It identifies us in our thoughts and beliefs.” Manuel directs the Volcano-based Hālau Ke ʻOlu Makani O Mauna Loa which will open the week of entertainment at noon today with a performance with local music group Ben Kaili and Friends at the Grand Naniloa Hotel “I think the daytime shows have become a tradition because they give Hawaiʻi Island residents who may work through the week the chance to enjoy a cultural performance during a lunch break,” Manuel said “Families and friends can come to the hotels to watch their loved ones – keiki to kūpuna – showcase the skills they’ve learned for free.” The daytime shows also give nontraditional groups the opportunity to perform for eager audiences The Tahitian-style hula group Merahi will be the only group featured at both the Grand Naniloa Hotel and next door at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel keiki and adults will dance in the Polynesian style of hula which is quite different from traditional Hawaiian hālau and is often a crowd favorite for the daytime performances The shows at the Grand Naniloa Hotel will continue through Friday beginning at noon the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel will host daily performances beginning at 1 p.m The daytime performances traditionally showcase Hawaiʻi Island hālau which are made up of groups of varying demographics such as young keiki “We love to promote these daily performances because we have incredible hālau from Hawaiʻi Island who don’t often dance in the competition but truly showcase what hula can do for the community,” Merrie Monarch organizer Kathy Kawelu said “These performances are also great for our residents who may not be able to go to the competition but still want to take in every part of the festival.” Several groups from Hawaiʻi Island will be performing during the mākeke (markets) and craft fairs that will be ongoing throughout the week Performances during the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair will begin on Wednesday is a three-day event from Wednesday to Friday The SCP Hilo Hotel will be hosting Mele Manaka 2025 Community Fair from during the Merrie Monarch Festival While the three-day event will feature plenty of local bands and musicians they will have two hālau performances as well For more information on craft fairs, makeke, live music and hālau performances, the 2025 Merrie Monarch Events Guide is updated live and available online By Leila Fujimori Crime in HawaiiHawaii island Duncan Mahi appears in Kona District Court Mahi was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison for abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old Kona girl from a West Hawaii beach in 2022 who abducted a 15-year-old Kona girl from a West Hawaii beach and sexually assaulted her in 2022 was sentenced this morning to 30 years in prison Duncan Mahi negotiated a plea deal and pleaded no contest Dec 31 to first- and second-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault Kona Circuit Court Chief Judge Wendy DeWeese sentenced Mahi to consecutive sentencing in the two kidnapping charges for a total of 30 years and ordered a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years She also sentenced him to 20 years for the sexual assault to run concurrently with the kidnapping sentence The girl told police she was with her boyfriend at Anaehoomalu Beach on Sept when she was kidnapped at knifepoint by Mahi She managed to escape while at a Hilo restaurant when the manager recognized her from an Amber alert This was Hawaii County’s first-ever Amber alert dropped the other charges of first- and third-degree sexual assault two counts of first-degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening