Edition: Tuesday, January 31, 2023

West Hawai‘i Aquarium Fishing Changes

In a recent legal development, the Hawaiian Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey P. Crabtree lifted an injunction in a case filed against commercial aquarium fishing in the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area. This ruling means that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) can now manage the state's aquatic resources in this region, following the completion of an environmental review process. It's important to note that the lifting of the injunction does not authorize any aquarium fishing and anyone caught without a required permit will face enforcement by the DLNR.

In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Melissa Goldman reminded the public that the decision simply returns the management of the state's aquatic resources in the West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area back to the DLNR. The DLNR is now in charge of considering the future of aquarium fishing in this region, and anyone who engages in commercial aquarium collection without the required permit will be cited and faced with enforcement to the fullest extent authorized by law. The injunction regarding the issuance or renewal of aquarium fish permits in the rest of the State of Hawaiʻi remains in effect.

Overall, this development marks a significant step in the management of the state's aquatic resources, and the DLNR will continue to play a critical role in ensuring the sustainability of these resources for future generations. Press Release.

Monthly Test Siren's Slated for Tomorrow, February 1, 2023

Hawai‘i residents and visitors can expect to hear a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (SteadyTone) during the monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System. The test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System and there will be no accompanying exercise or drill. The Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is part of Hawaii’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone during any other circumstances, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels such as local radio or television stations or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert.

$7.1 Million Awarded for Hawaii's Environmental Restoration and Recovery Projects

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Integration Program (REPI) has announced a $7,123,851 award for restoration and recovery projects in Hawaii. This funding, awarded through the REPI Challenge Program, will be dedicated to protecting and restoring rare species of plants and animals found only in Hawaii, as well as removing invasive species that threaten the state's ecosystems, economy, and quality of life. Additionally, the funding will aid in preventing wildfires.

DLNR Chair Dawn Chang expressed gratitude for the support provided by the REPI program, stating, "Hawaii has the highest number of endangered species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) endangered species list. With large areas of State-managed lands adjacent to DoD facilities, we are excited to partner with REPI to protect more of our rare plants and animals." Major General Mark Hashimoto of the Marine Corps added, "The military in Hawaii will always play a key role in the defense of our nation, and it is imperative that we also protect the land and water for future generations." These collaborative efforts will also provide resiliency in the face of climate change for rare and endangered species. Press Release.

Hawaii Sees 91.5% Recovery in Visitor Arrivals in December 2022

The Hawaiian Islands welcomed 871,870 visitors in December 2022, according to preliminary statistics released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. This marks a 91.5% recovery from the same month in 2019, with visitors spending $1.90 billion during the month, an 8.2% increase from December 2019. Most visitors arrived by air service, mainly from the US West and US East, with an average length of stay of 9.49 days. The statewide average daily census was 266,967 visitors in December 2022, a 6.3% decrease from December 2019.

Visitor spending from the US West and US East saw significant increases, with the US West spending $910 million, a 30.4% increase from December 2019, and the US East spending $608 million, a 24.5% increase from December 2019. Meanwhile, visitor numbers from Japan saw a 72.9% decrease, with spending down 70.2% compared to December 2019. Visitors from Canada decreased by 9.1%, while visitors from all other international markets decreased by 18.5%. For the entire year of 2022, a total of 9,247,848 visitors arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, an 89% recovery from 2019, with total visitor spending reaching $19.29 billion, up 8.9% from 2019. Press Release.

Police Seek Kona Man on Outstanding Warrant

Hawai‘i Island police are seeking the public's help in locating Hudson Patrick Ho‘oulu Sauer, a 28-year-old man from Kona who is wanted for an outstanding warrant of arrest. Sauer is wanted in connection with several vehicle thefts (Report #: 22-111461, 23-000620, 23-005002, and 23-005113) and is also being sought for questioning in other criminal investigations.

Sauer is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has distinctive tattoos, including a Virgin Mary on his outer left arm and the word "Ku‘uipo" in bold black lettering on his inner left arm, as well as a tribal design on his upper back and neck. Sauer is known to frequent the South Kona area and was last seen in the Ka‘ū area on January 28, 2023.

The Hawai‘i Police Department reminds the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed. If you have any information on Sauer's whereabouts, please contact Detective Steven Grace at (808) 326-4646, ext. 262 or via email at [email protected]. You can also reach the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID and all information is kept confidential.

Big Island Calendar for Week of Sunday, January 29 - Saturday, February 4

• February 2 - Windward Planning Commission Meeting on 02/02/2023 at 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: Hawaiʻi County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720

• February 2 - Liquor Commission Meeting on 2/2/2023 at 10:00am - 12:00pm, at the West Hawaii Civic Center Building G Meeting Room.

• February 3 - Food Truck Friday on 2/3/2023 between 4pm - 8pm at the Kona Target Parking Lot.

• February 4 - The Hawai'i County Department of Environmental Management is hosting two household hazardous waste collection events. They are planned for February 4 in Kona and February 11 in Hilo and will run from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The acceptable waste includes items like automotive fluids, batteries, and pesticides. To ensure safety, residents are asked to remain in their vehicles and to follow physical distancing rules.

East Hawai‘i Lane Closures:

Volcano Road/Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11)

Between Hilo and Keaau (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 3-6 (E. Palai Street to Kipimana St.) on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

North of Pahala: Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 42-44 on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

North of Pahala (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 43-45 on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19)

Papaikou to Pepeekeo: Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 8-11 (Hanawi St. & Old Mamalahoa Rd.) on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for vegetation cutting.

Hakalau: Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 13-14 (Kolekole Beach Park) on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for vegetation cutting.

Hakalau to Ninole (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 14-20 (Kolekole Beach Park to 34-1122 Hawaii Belt Road) on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

Laupahoehoe: Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 23-28 (Kapehu Rd. to Stevens Rd.) on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 3 PM for paving.

West Hawai‘i Lane Closures:

Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190)

Kailua-Kona (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 30-32 (Makalei Golf Club to Makalei Dr.) on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

Honaunau to Captain Cook (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 105-109 (Filipino Clubhouse Rd. to Kiloa Rd.) on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

Kuakini Highway (Route 11)

Honalo: Single lane closure possible in either direction near mile marker 114 (West Honalo Rd.) on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 3 PM for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250)

Kamuela (Weekend work): Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 0-6 (Kawaihae Rd. to Koaiʻa Tree Sanctuary) on Sat. & Sun. (Jan. 28-29) from 8:30 AM to 5 PM for vegetation cutting.

Kohala: Single lane closure possible in either direction between mile markers 2-9 (past Kohala Ranch Rd.) on Mon-Fri (Jan. 30-Feb. 3) from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

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