Fire at the Old Puueo Poi Building Leaves Two Dead

Hawai’i Island police are investigating a fatal structure fire that occurred early Saturday morning, November 29, 2025, at the old Puueo Poi Factory, in Hilo.

Shortly before 4:00 a.m. Saturday, South Hilo Patrol officers and Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported large structure fire at the old Puueo Poi Factory building on Kekuanaoa Street. Upon arrival, the building was observed to be fully engulfed in flames.

Police and Fire personnel immediately began efforts to evacuate the building, as fire department personnel worked to extinguish the flames. Once the flames were completely extinguished, fire department personnel conducted an extensive search of the ruins, and located human remains from two separate areas of the building. The remains are believed to be those of two female residents of the building, one 72-years-old, and the other 56-years-old.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives and Hawai’i Fire Department inspectors responded to the scene and are continuing this investigation, which is currently classified as a fire and a coroner’s inquest. The cause of the fire is still under investigation; however, foul play is not suspected.

Autopsy’s will be performed later this week to determine the exact cause of death of the two victims. Their identities are being withheld at this time pending positive identification, and subsequent notification of next of kin.

The old Puueo Poi Factory structure, which has been converted for residential use, was determined to be a total loss. The Red Cross has been contacted to aid displaced residents.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Michael Matsumura with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or email Michael.Matsumura@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.