Early-morning fire at former Hilo poi factory kills 2

Two people died in a fire at the Old Puueo Poi Factory Building in Hilo early this morning, according to Hawaii County authorities.

The Hawaii Fire Department responded to a 911 call at about 4 a.m. reporting a structure fire at the old poi factory off Kekuanaoa Street in Waiakea.

The former poi factory was in a Quonset-hut type of structure across from Hilo Shopping Center and was being used as a multi-unit residential dwelling.

Social media posts to a public group, “Hilo Happenings,” show the building engulfed in fire with flames and heavy smoke coming from the rooftop. Some members of the group reported hearing explosions during the fire.

HFD said the fire was extinguished at about 2 p.m., and that crews were continuing to clean up the area.

An HFD spokesperson confirmed that two people had died in the fire. No further information was released about the victims. It remains unknown how many residents were in the building at the time of the fire, nor whether anyone was injured or accounted for.

The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.

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This story will be updated when more information is available.