🌱 How will Hilo’s new emergency call center and police upgrades affect you?
Hello again Hilo! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Hilo’s new emergency call center and police upgrades affect you?
- How the new Hilo courthouse parking system will change your visit
- Hilo court hands down 40-year sentence in child abuse case
Also on today's calendar: TASTING CHOCOLATES OF BIG ISLAND.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Cloudy, with a high of 82 and low of 70 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, temps: high: 80, low: 68.
- Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 80 and low of 68 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. This is what Hawaiʻi County public safety departments proposed for their new budgets : Big Island Now (bigislandnow.com) — Hilo residents are set to see major public safety investments, including a new 17,000-square-foot emergency call center, repainting of the Hilo police station, and expanded local animal control services. County leaders outlined nearly $1 billion in proposed 2026–27 spending, with key priorities in policing, prosecution, fire protection, and animal control that will shape services in Hilo and nearby communities. 
2. Centralized paid parking system starting at Hilo courthouse Friday (bigislandnow.com) — Starting Friday, parking at Hale Kaulike, the Hilo Judiciary Complex, switches from individual meters to a centralized pay station in the courthouse lobby, costing $1 per hour with a $1 minimum. Visitors will need their license plate number, must pay at the machine using cash or card, and display the printed ticket on their dashboard.
3. Puna man given decades-long prison sentence for sex crimes against children (hawaiinewsnow.com) — A Hilo Circuit Court judge has sentenced a Puna man to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing two minors and promoting child abuse, following his 2025 guilty plea in Hilo. Prosecutors say the lengthy, consecutive sentences are meant to send a strong message about protecting keiki, after a multi-agency investigation involving local and state law enforcement.
4. Shark habitat research propels UH PhD candidate to global STEM award (hawaii.edu) — Hilo residents can take pride in new global recognition for shark research in Hilo Bay, now formally recognized as a vital shark habitat. UH Mānoa PhD candidate Danielle Bartz, first honored by the Zonta Club of Hilo, has won a prestigious international STEM award for her innovative, low-cost environmental DNA system that helps communities monitor and protect culturally important marine species.
5. BIIF boys basketball: Kauka, Huihui lead All-League selections; Kapeliela, Awa named Coaches of the Year (westhawaiitoday.com subscription) — Hilo basketball fans can celebrate senior guard Xarren Jose’s All-BIIF Division I selection after averaging 13.5 points and leading the Vikings to an 8-4 league record. The BIIF also honored standout players and coaches from across the island, including future UH–Hilo guard Layden Kauka and multiple Hilo Vikings named as honorable mentions.
📸 Around Hilo
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Hilo
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Laser Tag in the Library
Edwin H. Mookini Library, 200 W Kawili St, Hilo
6:00 pm
Friday April 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
TASTING CHOCOLATES OF BIG ISLAND
Big Island Vanilla , 29-2147 Kaiwiki-Homestead Rd , Hakalau
2:00 pm -
5th Annual Hilo Chocolate Festival
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a Trademark Collection by Wyndham , 71 Banyan Dr , Hilo
9:00 am
Sunday April 19
Saturday May 9
📣 Hilo Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Hawai'i Handweavers Hui
Hilo Public Library , 300 Waianuenue Ave , Hilo
10:00 am -
CON-GRAD-U-LEI-TIONS EVENT-HILO
HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts , 333 Kilauea Ave , Hilo
10:00 am -
BIIF Judo @ Waiakea HS
Waiakea High School , 155 W Kawili St , Hilo
10:30 am -
Big Island Women's Campus - Adult & Teen Challenge PacWest's Post
Nani Mau Gardens and Event Space , 421 Makalika St , Hilo
11:00 am -
Earth Day Festival @ Hawaiian Sanctuary
Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center , 13-3194 Pahoa Kalapana Rd , Pāhoa
12:00 pm -
Hawaii Prep Girls Varsity Water Polo @ Kamehameha Hawai'i
Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi Campus , 16-714 Volcano Rd , Keaau
1:00 pm -
Our Turn Aera Jayheart Live In Hilo Hawaii
Palace Theater , 38 Haili St , Hilo
6:00 pm -
Sunday Serenade w/ Melemai Kahumoku
The Booch Bar , 110 Keawe St , Hilo
10:00 am -
Spring Storytime & Craft
Keaau Public/School Library , 16-571 Keaau Pahoa Rd , Keaau
10:30 am
Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
Wednesday April 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- University of Hawai'i posted a job opening for Lecturer (Marine Science) in Hilo. Apply here.
- Energy Transfer posted a job opening for Cashier/Sales Associates AIM Hilo - $17.00/Hr. Part Time, quarterly bonus up to $100, Sign On Bonus up to $1,000*(DOE) in Hilo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hilo here.
Ok Hilo! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.