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Hawaii Island Sees Decrease in DUI Arrests, But Increase in Major Crashes

The week of April 3, 2023, through April 9, 2023, saw a total of 13 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant on Hawaii Island, with two drivers involved in a traffic collision and one being underage. While the overall number of DUI arrests has decreased by 8.8 percent this year compared to the same period last year, the number of major crashes has increased by 32 percent.

The Hawaii Police Department's Traffic Services Section has reviewed all updated crashes, revealing a total of 260 major crashes so far this year, compared to 197 during the same period last year. While there have been fewer fatal crashes this year, with a decrease of 50 percent, there have still been five such crashes, resulting in six fatalities.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue to be implemented throughout the island to help keep motorists safe.

Hawaii Island Police Search for Missing Endangered Kailua-Kona Man

Kris Seizen Yamauchi, a 65-year-old Kailua-Kona resident, has been reported missing by his family, and due to his age, he is considered endangered. Yamauchi was last seen on April 6, 2023, in the Keauhou area. He is described as Japanese, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 120 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. Hawaii Island police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact their non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. The community also reported County Chopper 1 Helicopter surveying the area of Keauhou, and it is unknown if it is related to the search for Yamauchi.

Hawaii County Paving Project to Temporarily Impede Access to Hau Street

The County of Hawaii's Department of Public Works Engineering Division and Yamada and Sons, Inc. will be paving Wainaku Street, which will impact access to Hau Street from the Hawaii Belt Road Highway beginning April 17 through April 19. During this time, motorists should expect one-lane traffic in the area, with paving taking place between 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, weather permitting. While Kaiwiki Road will have continuous access during the paving project, the Department of Public Works would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding.

Department of Army to Hold Convoys for Training at Pohakuloa

The Department of Army has announced that convoys will be travelling from Kawaihae Dock to Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on April 29 between 8am to 3pm, as part of preparations for routine training in May. Convoys with more than five vehicles will not move during peak traffic times, and the community is asked to exercise caution and avoid weaving in and out of convoys. The military has expressed gratitude for the understanding and continued support of the community, noting that the training is essential to ensure that military units and service members are well-equipped to accomplish their mission and return home safely. Concerns related to convoys or training can be reported to the Public Affairs Office at (808) 787-7839 during regular business hours.

Mountain View Man Charged with Attempted Theft and Possession of a Firearm

The Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen has announced that Frank Eblacas, a 57-year-old man from Mountain View, has been charged via felony information in relation to an incident that occurred on April 6, 2023. Eblacas is alleged to have attempted to steal a water catchment tank and be in possession of a .22 caliber rifle. With 8 prior felony convictions, Eblacas was charged with Attempted Theft in the Second Degree, Criminal Trespass in the First Degree, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Place to Keep Loaded Firearms Other Than Pistols and Revolvers, Ownership or Possession of Firearm Prohibited, and Ownership or Possession of Ammunition Prohibited. Eblacas is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court on Friday and remains in custody in lieu of $87,000.00 bail.

DLNR Directs Removal of Cat-Feeding Stations at Hawai’i Island Shopping Center Due to Endangered Bird Threat

The DLNR has directed the removal of cat-feeding stations located at a shopping center in Waikoloa, Hawai‘i, following complaints that the endangered Hawai‘i state bird, the nēnē, are being negatively impacted by the consumption of cat food and close contact with feral cats. The Queens’ Marketplace, where the feeding stations are located, has agreed to remove them and return them to the nonprofit organization that feeds the feral cats located throughout the Waikoloa Beach Resort community.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) have confirmed that the feeding of nēnē was happening, which is illegal according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. DLNR suggests that action be taken to capture feral cats and remove them from the landscape, as they pose a threat to nēnē and other native wildlife through direct predation and spreading toxoplasmosis. The agency also encourages people to keep pet cats indoors and avoid feeding feral cats, and in general supports a model of “Trap, Neuter, Adopt” to transition feral cats into indoor care wherever possible.

FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 8 – APRIL 14

PLEASE NOTE:

Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.

— KANOELEHUA AVENUE/MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) — 

1) HILO 

Single lane closure on Kanoelehua Avenue (Route 11) possible in either direction, in the vicinity of Makaala Street and E. Puainako Street, from Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for installation of traffic signal loop detection system.

2) PAHALA 

Single lane closure on Mamaloha Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 49 and 51, in the vicinity of Kamani Street on Monday, April 10, through Friday April 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) — 

1) KEAUHOU 

Single lane close on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile marker 113 and 114, in the vicinity of West Honalo Road, on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini drainage improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) — 

1) HAKALAU TO NINOLE 

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 16 and 19, in the vicinity of Leopolino Road and Old Mamalahoa Highway, on Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) PAPAALOA TO LAUPAHOEHOE 

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, between Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road resurfacing.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) — 

1) KEAAU 

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 8 and 11, in the vicinity of Kahakai Boulevard and Ainaloa Boulevard on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) — 

1) KAILUA-KONA 

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 30 and 32, in the vicinity of Makalei Drive and the Makalei Golf Club on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KAILUA-KONA 

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 18 and 26, in the vicinity of Puu Lani Drive on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for shoulder extension as a part of Mamalahoa Highway Safety Improvements.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) — 

1) KAMUELA 

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 8 and 12, in the vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road, on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for shoulder work and tree trimming.

2) KAMUELA 

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13, in the vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road resurfacing and reconstruction of shoulder.