Edition: Wednesday February 1-2, 2023

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Gov. Green issues fifth proclamation order on medical transport for neighbor islands

Governor Green has issued a fifth Proclamation order, extending medical transport patient care through February 28, 2023, following the December crash of Air Medical Hawaii Life Flight. The order ensures that medical transport services continue to be available for those in need during this time. The Governor and the state are working to secure alternative transportation options and ensure that medical transport services are available to all who require it.

School-Based Health Centers

The Hawaii Island Community Health Center has established school-based health centers at three West Hawaii schools in an effort to increase access to health care for children. The health centers, located at Hōnaunau Elementary, Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate Schools, will offer services such as child exams, illness or injury visits, behavioral health care, and dental services. According to CEO Richard Taaffe, the goal of the centers is to provide care that complements a child's primary doctor's office and to offer care to children who may not otherwise have access to it. The centers will also serve staff at the schools.

Manuel Thomas Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Kidnapping

The Attorney General's Special Investigations and Prosecution Division in Hawaii has charged Manuel Thomas with Sex Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Third Degree. Thomas is currently being held without bail. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for the class A felonies and up to 5 years for the class C felony. The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General is committed to prosecuting human trafficking and sex trafficking and encourages anyone who suspects such activity to contact the authorities. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Public Hearing Notices:

County Council Notice of Public Hearing Date: 02/07/2023 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

  • Location: Hawaiʻi County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 6:00 p.m. County Council Notice of Public Hearing - Bill No. 230 Draft 2: County of Hawaii Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District No. 2

County Council's Committee Meetings Date: 02/07/2023 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Location: Hawaiʻi County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Leeward Planning Commission meeting Date: 02/16/2023 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Location: West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building AKailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740

The meeting end time will be determined based on the items on the agenda and discretion of the Chair. Date and venue of the meeting is subject to change. Please contact the Planning Department at (808) 961-8288 to confirm.

Police Renew Request for Information on Runaway Kamalii Lawelawe

Hawai‘i Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Kamalii M.K. Lawelawe, who was previously reported as a runaway.

Lawelawe was last seen at his residence in the Kealakehe area on Sunday, July 3, 2022, at 10:30 p.m. wearing white shorts, a white aloha print shirt, and a small blue backpack.

He is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, 130 pounds, with short curly reddish hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information regarding his whereabouts call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Jeremiah Hull of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section at (808) 326-4646, ext. 302.

HPD investigating a officer-involved shooting

The Hawaii Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that took place in Pahala on January 28, 2023. Two officers went to a residence to serve a restraining order when four to five large dogs ran towards one of the officers. The dog jumped towards the officer's upper torso and snapped its jaw, causing the officer to discharge his weapon in self-defense. The officer was not injured, and the dog retreated and later succumbed to its injury. The department's Office of Professional Standards has opened a standard internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the firearm discharge.

Police Request the Public to take survey

Hawai‘i Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz invites members of the public to take the department’s Community Satisfaction Survey, which runs today, February 1, 2023, through 4:00 p.m. February 28, 2023.

The department conducts the survey every two years as part of its national accreditation process.

“At the most basic level, our job in the police department is to help the public feel safe,” says Chief Moszkowicz. “The only way we can gauge our success and identify areas for improvement, is to solicit feedback from the community.”

“It is only through honest communication that we have any hope of continuing to improve the department and the community,” adds the Chief.

The anonymous survey is available on the department’s website www.hawaiipolice.com and can be accessed directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HPD2023

Knowing that our department’s effectiveness is ultimately determined by the confidence and cooperation of the community we serve, the survey includes both multiple-choice questions and an opportunity to make individual comments that will aid us in determining the police department’s strengths and weaknesses.

By comparing the results of this year’s survey with the results of past surveys, the department can gauge where it has improved and where it needs further improvement.

Police Arrest and Charge Kona Man on Outstanding Warrant

Hawai‘i Island police located a Kona man they had been seeking for an outstanding warrant and subsequently arrested and charged him for multiple vehicle thefts. Hudson Patrick Ho’oulu Sauer, age 28, was wanted for an outstanding warrant of arrest relative to the thefts of several vehicles and also for questioning in other criminal investigations.

On Monday, January 30, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., Kona patrol officers located and arrested Sauer in the Captain Cook area. He was taken into custody without incident.

Later that same day, after conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, police charged Sauer with four counts of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and one count of first-degree theft. His bail was set at $13,000.

Sauer appeared in Kona District Court on Tuesday, January 31, where he was granted supervised release.

Hawai‘i Police Department thanks the public for their assistance in this matter.

Hawai'i Island Legislative Outlook for Friday:

  • SB745 - Extends the offense of false labeling of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes $10,000 fine for each separate offense of false-labeling of Hawaiʻi-grown roasted coffee. Makes an appropriation for 1.0 FTE enforcement position. The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-23 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

  • HB1348 - Clarifies labeling requirements for macadamia nuts. Requires country of origin to be included on the label of a consumer package of raw or processed macadamia nuts. Allows a private right of action for violations. Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 02-03-23 9:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  • HB1336 - Part I: Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of making certain arrests. Provides for a 48-hour grace period after a missed initial court appearance. Part II: Establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant is entitled to pretrial release. Requires the prosecution to prove by clear and convincing evidence that release of a defendant would be inappropriate, based on certain specified criteria. Requires that bail be set in an amount that the defendant can afford. Prohibits the denial of pretrial release based solely upon certain factors, such as testing positive for drug use. Requires automatic issuance of protective orders in assaultive cases. Requires the prosecution, when seeking to revoke pretrial release, to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant intentionally violated a reasonable condition of release, and requires the court to enter certain findings into the record. Part III: Provides that a request that the defendant be ordered to undergo a substance abuse assessment may be made any time before trial. Prohibits the arrest of a probationer or parolee, or the revocation of probation or parole, solely due to the person having tested positive for drug use.

  • SB1076 - Requires the Office of Elections to prepare a digital voter information guide. Requires the Office of Elections to post the guide on its website in compliance with certain accessibility standards. Requires the Office of Elections to mail each ballot with a notice that states a voter information guide may be found on its website. Appropriates funds. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-23 9:30AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

  • HB337 - Increases the capital gains tax threshold from 7.25 per cent to 9 per cent. Increases the alternative capital gains tax for corporations from 4 per cent to 5 per cent. Applies to tax years beginning after 12/31/2022. Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-03-23 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  • HB943 - Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Honokaa Land Company, LLC, with acquiring, developing, and renovating agricultural facilities. Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-03-23 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  • SB1317 - Appropriates general funds for federal broadband programs matching fund requirements. The committee(s) on LBT added the measure to the public hearing scheduled on 02-03-23 3:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

  • HB1430 - Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Bill scheduled to be heard by HET on Friday, 02-03-23 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  • SB99 - Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program. Appropriates funds for the establishment, implementation, and administration of the program. The committee(s) on AEN deferred the measure until 02-03-23 2:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

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 - Cherry Blossom Festival on 2/4/2023 between 9am - 3pm at Church Row in Waimea.

  • 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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